Sporting passion and relaxing at home: Getting to know the real Joshua Duerksen

AIX Racing’s Joshua Duerksen is aiming to cap off a strong rookie season in Formula 2 in Lusail and Yas Marina, but it’s about time we got to know him a little bit better.
From his love of all things sporting and competitive, the Paraguayan goes into detail about his early years in karts and the impact it’s left upon him, along with how sources of inspiration continue to drive him to achieve more.
WHERE DO YOU CONSIDER HOME?
“I would say home is Paraguay. I love being there because I don’t get to spend a lot of time there but when I am, I love seeing my family and my friends and my dog. I love being at home because it gives me a feeling of holidays, relaxed time. It’s not far from the airport which isn’t bad seeing as I have to fly quite a lot this year, so it fits perfectly.
“But it’s quiet there and chilled out because it’s out of the city. During the afternoon and nights, it’s beautiful to be outside.”
OUTSIDE OF MOTORSPORT, WHICH ATHLETE DO YOU ADMIRE THE MOST?
“Outside of motorsport? I admire Kobe Bryant a lot. Michael Jordan too. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Tiger Woods, Lionel Messi. I admire them a lot because they’ve all changed their sports, they’ve played a lot and I admire how they are as athletes and people too. They never give up, always keep pushing and they’re the best yet they still want to improve.”
WHO DO YOU KNOW THE BEST IN THE PADDOCK?
“I’ve spent a lot of time with Noel León because we’ve raced a lot together in FRECA. I know him best I’d say.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHEAT MEAL?
“I really love burgers, a good burger with a lot of meat, I love it.”
IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND RELIVE ANY MOMENT FROM YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
“My life is only motorsport and going back through the years there’s so many moments, but I think it would be the first time I drove a go-kart. It was in Paraguay and I remember insisting a lot to my dad to get me a kart. He called me and said he was going to do it, and I remember crying because I was so emotional and happy. I remember the feeling arriving at the track and going to race, sitting in the kart and driving it for the first time, it’s a moment I’d love to go back to and relive those emotions.”
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IF YOU WEREN’T A RACING DRIVER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO AS A JOB?
“I think I would still be in the sports side of things. I love sports and when I was little I played football, tennis, golf, athletics, so I think if I couldn’t be a driver, I’d do something in one of those areas – probably athletics. I was really good at that.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE OR TV SHOW?
“I’d say Grown Ups with Adam Sandler. Top Gun: Maverick also.”
WHAT WAS THE LAST SONG THAT YOU LISTENED TO?
“I don’t remember. Let’s see what my Spotify says… ‘I Got Joy by Victory House Worship.”
WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
“Umm, I think my simulator. I have a full setup at home. The base I made with my dad and my kart mechanic. I really like it and basically built it myself, which is cool.”
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WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
“What comes to mind is Tiger Woods and ‘Don’t get bitter, get better’.”
WHERE’S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE YOU’VE BEEN TO AND ONE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO BUT WOULD LOVE TO GO?
“I always wanted to go to Australia, but we did this year, so I’ll choose another and say Tokyo, Japan. We need to talk with someone and put it on the calendar.
“My favourite place I’ve ever been is Orlando, Florida. When I was small I went there and really loved it. It was cool.”