In 2024, the 20-year-old Paraguayan driver, Joshua Duerksen, will step up to Formula 2. He will race with PHM Racing.
Next year, Joshua Duerksen will start a new chapter in his racing career. He will be part of the 2024 Formula 2 gird, racing for PHM Racing.
He made his single-seater debut in 2019, racing in the Formula 4 UAE Championship, where he ended the season as vice-champion.
From then, he continued to compete in Formula 4 Championships until 2022, when he was promoted to FRECA with Arden Motorsport. He collected 40 points, which put him in 14th position in the final standings.
In 2023, Duerksen started his second season in FRECA with a lot of difficulties. He managed to get to the points only in SPA, where he had an excellent weekend. He finished Race 2 in third place, his first podium of the season. However, he did not manage to replicate the same result or do better in the remaining races of the season. He reached the points only two more times and finished 19th in the drivers’ standings.
Formula 3 post-season tests
Furthermore, in October, he took part in the 2023 Formula 3 post-season tests in Imola with PHM Racing. At the end of the two days, Duerksen was enthusiastic about the experience:
“It was amazing. Being able to drive a car with this power and meeting the team was a very positive experience. I learned a lot, and now I’m focusing on what’s coming next.”
Jumping to Formula 2 from FRECA with PHM Racing
Unexpectedly, Duerksen was announced to step up to Formula 2 in 2024 with PHM Racing. He will be the first Paraguayan driver to compete in F2, and he cannot wait to start this new journey.
So excited for this new chapter in my racing career! We will work hard to adapt to the new car as soon as possible and achieve our goals for the next season!! Just happy. 👊🏼❤️ https://t.co/48P5wUBxF5
— Joshua Duerksen 🇵🇾 (@JoshuaDuerksen1) November 10, 2023
He is not the first driver who will jump from FRECA to F2. In fact, it already happened to Gianluca Petecof in 2021 and, more recently, with Kimi Antonelli. The letter won the 2023 Formula Regional European Championship in October, and he will race in F2 with Prema from next year.
Ronald Rehfeld, PHM Racing Sporting Director, was thrilled to announce Duerksen as part of the team. However, he knows the risks and the responsibilities that come with Duerksen’s step-up:
“We all know that this is a massive step to manage for him and also for the Team. Joshua convinced us with his ‘hands-on’ attitude, working ethic, and 100% dedication to his profession, which is essential to develop himself with the Team at the highest stage of Formula Racing below F1.”
2024 F2 grid
The F2 2024 gird begins to take form after the latest announcements. MP Motorsport completed their line-up, confirming Dennis Hauger in the team for next year.
It is still uncertain who will be Duerksen’s teammate, whether someone from the 2023 F2 grid or someone from F3.
