Mercedes announce surprise driver signing just weeks before Australian GP

Mercedes have announced a new driver signing ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign.

In less than two weeks' time, the 2026 F1 season will begin with the Australian Grand Prix, held at Melbourne's Albert Park.

Ahead of the much-anticipated campaign, Mercedes are widely considered the favourites to win both world titles, with George Russell the early frontrunner to win his maiden championship.

However, during last week's testing in Bahrain, Ferrari impressed, with Charles Leclerc setting the fastest time on Friday.

With testing now done and dusted, teams are gearing up for the first practice session in Melbourne.

On Monday, Mercedes announced a new driver signing, adding Frenchman Theo Pourchaire to their line-up as a development driver.

Mercedes wrote on social media: "Welcome to the Team, Théo. Delighted to announce @Tpourchaire as a Development Driver for the Team."

A statement from Pourchaire read: "The news is finally out, I’m incredibly proud and grateful to be joining @mercedesamgf1 as a Development Driver.

"I grew up watching this team winning in F1 and now I have the honour to work with them and represent them. A big thank you to everyone involved for giving me this opportunity, I’m going to make the most of it."

He added: "Let’s start the work in Brackley."

Theo Pourchaire has joined Mercedes. Image: Getty

So far in his short career, Pourchaire won the Formula 2 championship in 2023 and finished as the runner-up in the 2020 Formula 3 season, finishing behind Oscar Piastri by just three points.

The 22-year-old dived into Endurance Racing in 2025, joining Peugeot as a development driver and also made his FIA World Endurance Championship debut the same year.

In 2026, Pourchaire is set to become a full-time Hypercar driver for Team Peugeot TotalEnergies.

Aside from Pourchaire, Mercedes have previously announced that Joshua Dürksen and Doriane Pin will also be development drivers for the team.

A statement read: "The team also welcomes several new Development Drivers. Doriane Pin, last year’s F1 Academy Champion, graduates from the junior programme and will take on additional responsibilities in this role.

"F2 race winner Joshua Dürksen also becomes a Development Driver; the Paraguayan will carry out simulator duties and several days of Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) running alongside his F2 programme. Former F1 driver Anthony Davidson, who has been a core part of the development work on the 2026 car, also continues his simulator support and simulator driver roster management too."