Joshua Dufek

Having started kart racing at the age of seven,{{cite web|url=https://www.simandan.com/josh-dufek-racing/|title=Apart from skill, a go kart racer needs passion and love for the sport|website=Simandan.com|date=15 April 2017|access-date=5 June 2022}}{{Cite web |title=ABOUT ME|url=https://www.joshdufekkarting.com/about-me|access-date=3 September 2023|website=joshdufekkarting.com|language=en}} Dufek followed up his karting career with a move into single-seaters in 2020, competing in the F4 Spanish Championship with MP Motorsport.{{cite web |date=9 March 2020 |title=Josh Dufek teams up with MP Motorsport for Spanish Formula 4 assault |url=https://www.mpmotorsport.com/2020/03/09/josh-dufek-teams-up-with-mp-motorsport-for-spanish-formula-4-assault/ |website=MP Motorsport| url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320225345/https://www.mpmotorsport.com/2020/03/09/josh-dufek-teams-up-with-mp-motorsport-for-spanish-formula-4-assault/ |archive-date=20 March 2020 |access-date=9 March 2020}}{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Ida |date=9 March 2020 |title=Sauber karter Joshua Dufek confirms move to cars in Spanish F4 |url=https://formulascout.com/sauber-karter-dufek-confirms-single-seater-move-with-mp-motorsport/60538 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-GB}} His season would start out slowly compared to his teammates Kas Haverkort and Mari Boya,{{Cite web |date=19 September 2020 |title=Mari Boya logra la primera victoria |url=https://f4spain.org/en/2020/09/mari-boya-logra-la-primera-victoria/ |access-date=26 May 2022 |website=F4 Spanish Championship |language=es}} with just one podium and pole position scored in race three in Navarra to show for his efforts.{{cite web|url=https://ch.motorsport.com/openwheel/news/josh-dufek-beim-debut-spanischer-f4-auf-podest/4841916/|title=Josh Dufek beim Debüt in der spanischen F4 auf dem Podest|website=Motorsport.com|language=de|date=22 July 2020|last=Rolland|first=Emmanuel|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023163943/https://ch.motorsport.com/openwheel/news/josh-dufek-beim-debut-spanischer-f4-auf-podest/4841916/|archive-date=23 October 2022|access-date=4 September 2023}} Dufek's results would improve afterwards, getting two back-to-back third places in the third round at Jerez, and followed that up by finishing second twice at the following event in Valencia, crossing the finish line less than a second after teammate Haverkort.{{Cite web |date=28 September 2020 |title=El líder del campeonato imparable en Valencia |url=https://f4spain.org/en/2020/09/el-lider-del-campeonato-imparable-en-valencia/ |access-date=26 May 2022 |website=F4 Spanish Championship |language=es}} The Swiss driver scored three more podiums in the latter half of the campaign, finishing the season in fourth position in the standings, tied on points with fellow rookie Thomas ten Brinke.{{cite web|url=https://www.lacote.ch/sport/le-pilote-de-le-vaud-joshua-dufek-a-trouve-la-bonne-formule-1006477|title=Le pilote de Le Vaud Joshua Dufek a trouvé la bonne Formule|website=La Côte|language=fr|last=David|first=Arnaud|date=18 November 2020|access-date=5 June 2022}}

File:F4 Italy 2021 Spielberg Nr. 13 Dufek.jpg at the Red Bull Ring.]]

In 2021 Dufek moved to Van Amersfoort Racing, partnering Oliver Bearman and Nikita Bedrin in the Italian and ADAC Formula 4 series.{{Cite web |title=Swiss Joshua Dufek to join VAR's F4 squad for 2021 |url=https://www.kartxpress.com/ReadMore/swiss-joshua-dufek-to-join-vars-f4-squad-for-2021 |access-date=26 May 2022 |website=KartXpress |language=en-US}} His campaign in the former championship began in similar fashion to his 2020 season, having to wait for a podium until the eighth race of the season at Vallelunga.{{Cite web |title=Vallelunga: Dreifachsieg für Oliver Bearman in der dritten Runde der italienischen Formel 4 powered by Abarth |url=https://www.media.stellantis.com/de-de/abarth/press/vallelunga-dreifachsieg-fr-oliver-bearman-in-der-dritten-runde-der-italienischen-formel-4-powered-by-abarth |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=www.media.stellantis.com |language=de}} He scored another podium in Imola, and went on to make a bold call to switch to rain tyres during the final race at the Red Bull Ring, which allowed him to charge to second place. His weekend of the season would come in Mugello: after having taken all three pole-positions of the event in qualifying,{{Cite web |title=Italian F4: Three pole positions for Joshua Dufek at Mugello Circuit |url=https://www.kartxpress.com/ReadMore/italian-f4-three-pole-positions-for-joshua-dufek-at-mugello-circuit |access-date=26 May 2022 |website=KartXpress |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Ida |date=8 October 2021 |title=Dufek takes a Tuscan triple at Mugello in Italian F4 qualifying |url=https://formulascout.com/dufek-takes-a-tuscan-triple-at-mugello-in-italian-f4-qualifying/85000 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-GB}} Dufek finished second in the first race and came out victorious in race 2, having lost the lead at the start but taking it back after overtakes on Oliver Bearman and Sebastián Montoya.{{Cite web |title=Dufek rejoices in race two ahead of Montoya and Smal |url=https://www.acisport.it/en/F4/news/2021/106703/dufek-rejoices-in-race-two-ahead-of-montoya-and-smal/Mugello |access-date=26 May 2022 |website=ACI Sport}}{{Cite web |last=Costa |first=Massimo |date=10 October 2021 |title=Mugello - Gara 2: Prima vittoria per Dufek |url=https://www.italiaracing.net/Mugello---Gara-2-Prima-vittoria-per-Dufek/244518/79 |access-date=4 September 2023 |website=italiaracing.net |language=it}} The Swiss ended his season in the Italian championship in seventh place after amassing 154 points.{{cite web|title=2021 Classifiche IF4C|url=https://www.acisport.it/public/2021/pdf/F4/2021_4839Mixed//Classifica_Italian_F.4_Championship_powered_by_Abarth_2021_if4c_classifica_assoluta.pdf|website=acisport.it|publisher=ACI Sport|access-date=26 September 2023}}

File:F4 Deutschland 2021 Spielberg Nr. 13 Dufek.jpg at the Red Bull Ring.]]

In the German championship Dufek would get his first podium in a VAR podium lockout in race 2 at Zandvoort, finishing second.{{Cite web |title=Bearman and Smal win the Sunday races in Zandvoort {{!}} ADAC Formel 4 |url=https://www.adac-motorsport.de/en/adac-formel-4/news/2021/bearman-and-smal-win-the-sunday-races-in-zandvoort |access-date=26 May 2022 |website=ADAC Motorsport |language=en}} Dufek then went on to have two further races in which he narrowly missed out on taking victory, losing out in back-to-back races at the Hockenheimring and Nürburgring to Luke Browning and Tim Tramnitz respectively.{{Cite web |title=Browning triumphs in Hockenheim – Bearman still championship leader {{!}} ADAC Formel 4 |url=https://www.adac-motorsport.de/en/adac-formel-4/news/2021/browning-triumphs-in-hockenheim-bearman-still-championship-leader |access-date=26 May 2022 |website=ADAC Motorsport |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Tim Tramnitz claims lights-to-flag victory to close in on Bearman {{!}} ADAC Formel 4 |url=https://www.adac-motorsport.de/en/adac-formel-4/news/2021/tim-tramnitz-claims-lights-to-flag-victory-to-close-in-on-bearman |access-date=26 May 2022 |website=ADAC Motorsport |language=en}} His ADAC F4 season also ended with him sat in seventh, having skipped the fourth round at the Sachsenring.{{Cite web |date=19 April 2022 |title=Rookies to watch: 2022 Formula Regional European Championship |url=https://formulascout.com/rookies-to-watch-2022-formula-regional-european-championship/92318 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-GB}}

File:FREC 2022 Spielberg Nr. 13 (1).jpg at the Red Bull Ring.]]

Having taken part in post-season testing with MP Motorsport and Van Amersfoort Racing at the end of 2021, Dufek signed for the latter team to compete in the Formula Regional European Championship, driving alongside Levente Révész and Kas Haverkort.{{Cite web |date=12 February 2022 |title=Joshua Dufek completes VAR's 2022 line-up |url=https://formularegionaleubyalpine.com/joshua-dufek-completes-vars-2022-line-up/ |access-date=27 March 2022 |website=Formula Regional by Alpine |language=it-IT}}{{Cite web |date=20 April 2022 |title=Your season guide to the 2022 FRECA Championship |url=https://f1feederseries.com/2022/04/20/your-season-guide-to-the-2022-freca-championship/ |access-date=26 May 2022 |website=F1 Feeder Series |language=en}} Before the season, the Swiss driver competed in the first three rounds of the Formula Regional Asian series for Hitech Grand Prix, amassing two rookie podiums, ending 18th in the standings.{{Cite web |date=21 January 2022 |title=Your guide to the 2022 Formula Regional Asia Championship |url=https://f1feederseries.com/2022/01/21/your-guide-to-the-2022-formula-regional-asia-championship/ |access-date=26 May 2022 |website=F1 Feeder Series |language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lacote.ch/vaud/la-cote/nyon-district/le-vaud/le-pilote-vaulis-joshua-dufek-poursuit-son-ascension-1147023|title=Le pilote vaulis Joshua Dufek poursuit son ascension|website=La Côte|language=fr|last=David|first=Arnaud|date=18 January 2022|access-date=5 June 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nrtv.ch/la-quotidienne/la-quotidienne-du-mercredi-9-fevrier/|title=La Quotidienne du mercredi 9 février|website=Nyon Région Télévision|language=fr|date=9 February 202|access-date=5 June 2022}} The start to his campaign in the European championship would prove trickier, as Dufek scored just two points in the first ten races, far from teammate Haverkort. However, a sudden upturn in form at the Hungaroring round with strong points finishes, followed by a double podium at the Red Bull Ring after the summer break, propelled the Swiss driver into the top 10 in the standings and rookie title contention.{{cite web|url=https://www.lacote.ch/vaud/la-cote/nyon-district/le-vaud/automobilisme-le-vauli-joshua-dufek-continue-dimpressionner-au-volant-de-sa-monoplace-1207374|title=Automobilisme: le Vauli Joshua Dufek continue d'impressionner au volant de sa monoplace|website=La Côte|language=fr|url-access=subscription|date=11 August 2022|access-date=23 October 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.autohebdo.fr/actualites/monoplace/fr-alpine/victoire-sur-le-finish-pour-haverkort-en-autriche.html|title=Victoire sur le finish pour Haverkort en Autriche|website=AutoHebdo|language=fr|date=10 September 2022|access-date=23 October 2022|last=Forbes|first=Gonzalo}} Dufek arrived at the season finale at Mugello tenth in the standings, 11 points off rookie leader Leonardo Fornaroli. He put pressure on the Italian with a podium in race one and a front row start in race two,{{cite web|url=https://www.autohebdo.fr/breves/monoplace/bortoleto-en-pole-pour-la-course-2-au-mugello-devant-dufek.html|title=Mugello – Bortoleto en pole pour la Course 2, devant Dufek|website=AutoHebdo|language=fr|date=23 October 2022|access-date=23 October 2022|last=Grangier|first=Dorian}} but a late mistake fighting with Hadrien David saw him drop three positions and eventually miss out on the rookie championship by 4 points. This was, however, enough of a points haul for Dufek to leapfrog MP Motorsport's Mari Boya and secure ninth place in the final overall standings.{{cite web|url=https://formulascout.com/mini-snatches-frec-runner-up-spot-with-victory-in-mugello-finale/100218|title=Mini snatches FREC runner-up spot with victory in Mugello finale|website=Formula Scout|last=Gascoigne|first=Roger|date=23 October 2022|access-date=23 October 2022}}

At the start of 2023, Dufek raced in the 2023 Formula Regional Middle East Championship with PHM Racing.{{Cite web|last=Wood|first=Ida|date=6 December 2022|title=PHM Racing enters FRegional Middle East, signs Joshua Dufek|url=https://formulascout.com/phm-racing-enters-fregional-middle-east-signs-joshua-dufek/101619|access-date=29 December 2022|website=Formula Scout|language=en-GB}} He would go on to take his first Formula Regional victory at Kuwait Motor Town, only to have it stripped away due to a technical irregularity.{{cite web|url=https://formulascout.com/dufek-earns-his-first-fregional-win-in-reversed-grid-kuwait-race/103191|title=Dufek earns his first FRegional win in reversed-grid Kuwait race|website=Formula Scout|last=Wood|first=Ida|date=28 January 2023|access-date=29 August 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://feederseries.net/2023/01/31/antonelli-leads-as-dufek-loses-victory-4-takeaways-from-frmec-round-2-at-kuwait-motor-town/|title=Antonelli leads as Dufek loses victory: 4 takeaways from FRMEC Round 2 at Kuwait Motor Town|website=Feeder Series|last=Foster|first=Tyler|date=31 January 2023|access-date=29 August 2023}} He finished the season sixth in the standings with two podiums to his name.

Dufek remained with Van Amersfoort Racing for the 2023 Formula Regional European Championship.{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Ida |date=2 March 2023 |title=Joshua Dufek continues with VAR for second season in FREC |url=https://formulascout.com/joshua-dufek-continues-with-var-for-second-season-in-frec/104280 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=Reunited for FRECA 2023|date=2 March 2023|url=https://www.joshdufek.com/post/josh-var-reunite-for-freca-2023|access-date=3 March 2023|website=joshdufek.com|language=en}} Despite a maiden pole position at the Hungaroring,{{cite web|url=https://www.autohebdo.fr/breves/monoplace/premiere-pole-position-pour-joshua-dufek.html|title=Première pole position pour Joshua Dufek|website=AutoHebdo|language=fr|last=Forbes|first=Gonzalo|date=18 June 2023|access-date=29 August 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Ida |date=18 June 2023 |title=Joshua Dufek finally gets his first FREC pole at Hungaroring |url=https://formulascout.com/joshua-dufek-finally-gets-his-first-frec-pole-at-hungaroring/108203 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-GB}} Dufek experienced a drop in speed due to what he described as a "recalcitrant engine", and opted to pull out of his contract during the summer break. He sat 9th in the standings at the time.{{cite web|url=https://www.lacote.ch/vaud/la-cote/nyon-district/le-vaud/automobilisme-joshua-dufek-met-un-terme-anticipe-a-sa-saison-de-formule-regionale-1315748|title=Automobilisme: Joshua Dufek met un terme anticipé à sa saison de Formule régionale|website=La Côte|language=fr|last=David|first=Arnaud|url-access=subscription|date=23 August 2023|access-date=29 August 2023}} By the end of the season, Dufek had dropped to 13th in the overall standings, having scored 52 points.{{Cite web|title=Formula Regional Europe 2023 Standings|url=https://www.driverdb.com/championships/formula-regional-european-championship/2023|access-date=25 September 2024|website=DriverDB|language=en}}

File:Euroformula Open 2023 Spielberg Nr. 69 Dufek (2).jpg during the 2023 Euroformula Open]]

After leaving Formula Regional midway through 2023, Dufek joined the Euroformula Open with CryptoTower Racing Team starting from the fifth round at the Red Bull Ring.{{cite web|url=https://www.euroformulaopen.net/en/news/4949/charlie-wurz-and-josh-dufek-join-the-euroformula-with-cryptotower|title=Charlie Wurz and Josh Dufek join the Euroformula with CryptoTower|website=Euroformula Open Championship|date=5 September 2023|access-date=6 September 2023}} He scored a pair of podiums in his first round at the Red Bull Ring,{{Cite web|title=Euroformula Podiums|date=12 September 2024|url=https://www.joshdufek.com/post/euroformula-podiums-at-rbr|access-date=25 September 2024|website=joshdufek.com|language=en}} before achieving a maiden win in Monza.{{Cite web|title=First win at 'Crazy' Monza|date=25 September 2023|url=https://www.joshdufek.com/post/first-efo-win-at-crazy-monza|access-date=25 September 2024|website=joshdufek.com|language=en}} He continued his podium streak in Mugello, making it seven rostrums in eight appearances, allowing him to place seventh in the overall standings.{{Cite web|title=Mugello brace makes it 7 of 8|date=2 October 2023|url=https://www.joshdufek.com/post/mugello-brace-makes-it-7-from-8|access-date=25 September 2024|website=joshdufek.com|language=en}}

Dufek was called up by Campos Racing for the final round of the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship at Monza, replacing Hugh Barter.{{Cite web|title=Campos Racing confirms Joshua Dufek for Monza|date=29 August 2023|url=https://www.fiaformula3.com/Latest/2U4z1eWB8o1zxJu91Gslz2/campos-racing-confirms-joshua-dufek-for-monza|access-date=29 August 2023|website=FIA Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website|language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kainz |first=Mathias |title=Formel 3: Schweizer Talent Dufek gibt Debüt beim Saisonfinale |url=https://www.nau.ch/sport/motorsport/formel-3-schweizer-talent-dufek-gibt-debut-beim-saisonfinale-66589415 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Nau |language=de}} After spinning out of qualifying, he finished 14th in both races, enough to propel him to 29th in the standings, ahead of six other drivers.{{cite web|url=https://us.motorsport.com/fia-f3/news/f3-monza-bortoleto-wraps-up-2023-title-in-qualifying/10514438/|title=F3 Monza: Bortoleto wraps up 2023 title in qualifying|website=Motorsport.com|last=White|first=Megan|date=1 September 2023|access-date=4 September 2023}}{{Cite web |title=Formel 3: Debütant Dufek im letzten Rennen auf Rang 15, Edgar siegt |url=https://www.nau.ch/sport/motorsport/formel-3-debutant-dufek-im-letzten-rennen-auf-rang-15-edgar-siegt-66590766 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Nau |language=de}} He then tested for PHM Racing during the post-season test.{{Cite web|title=Formula 3 gears up for post-season testing from Jerez|date=4 October 2023|url=https://www.fiaformula3.com/Latest/4NUhVRGnUX1gxs6eHi5n0B/formula-3-gears-up-for-post-season-testing-from-jerez|access-date=5 October 2023|website=FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website|language=en}}

File:FIA F3 Austria 2024 Nr. 28 Dufek.jpg during the 2024 Spielberg Formula 3 round.]]

For 2024, Dufek stepped up to FIA Formula 3 full-time, joining PHM AIX Racing for his first full Formula 3 season.{{Cite web|title=Joshua Dufek joins PHM AIX Racing for 2024 F3 season|date=24 January 2024|url=https://www.fiaformula3.com/Latest/4tPj9BVrAmxfon3pc4kgKD/joshua-dufek-joins-phm-aix-racing-for-2024-f3-season|access-date=25 January 2024|website=FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website|language=en}} It would be a difficult season for Dufek, often fighting towards the rear of the field. However, he had a standout qualifying in Hungary with sixth, only for him to be disqualified for being below the minimum weight.{{Cite web|title=Browning loses best lap, Dufek disqualified and two drivers penalised following Budapest Qualifying|date=19 July 2024|url=https://www.fiaformula3.com/Latest/1Ma0uAychAwdVwbmyKtVrX/browning-loses-best-lap-dufek-disqualified-and-two-drivers-penalised|access-date=25 September 2024|website=FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=AIX Racing aiming high after strong Budapest Qualifying performance|date=20 July 2024|url=https://www.fiaformula3.com/Latest/41iHYwaRTApa1ld1NmpGQZ/aix-racing-aiming-high-after-strong-budapest-qualifying-performance|access-date=25 September 2024|website=FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website|language=en}} His sole point came in the season finale in the Monza feature race, classifying tenth after post-race penalties.{{Cite web|title=Josh seals his FIA Formula 3 rookie season in Monza|date=3 September 2024|url=https://www.joshdufek.com/post/josh-seals-his-fia-formula-3-rookie-season-in-monza|access-date=25 September 2024|website=joshdufek.com|language=en}} Dufek was ranked 28th in the standings, behind teammates Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak and Nikita Bedrin.{{Cite web|title=Driver Standings for the FIA Formula 3 2024 Championship|url=https://www.fiaformula3.com/Standings/Driver?seasonId=181|access-date=9 September 2024|website=FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website|language=en}}

Dufek continued in Formula 3 for a second season in 2025, switching to Hitech TGR alongside Martinius Stenshorne and Gerrard Xie.{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Peter |date=4 December 2024 |title=Hitech finalises F3 line-up for 2025 with Joshua Dufek |url=https://formulascout.com/hitech-finalises-f3-line-up-for-2025-with-joshua-dufek/126244 |access-date=4 December 2024|website=Formula Scout |language=en-US}}

At the start of 2019 Dufek joined the Sauber Junior Team along with Dexter Patterson and competed with their karting team in the CIK-FIA Karting European Championship and the Karting World Championship.{{cite web|url=https://us.motorsport.com/kart/news/sauber-launches-karting-team-rosberg/4360877/|title=Sauber launches kart team with ex-Rosberg boss|website=Motorsport.com|last=Mitchell|first=Scott|date=29 March 2019|access-date=4 September 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Waring |first=Bethonie |date=31 March 2019 |title=Sauber expands junior team into karting with Kart Republic |url=https://formulascout.com/sauber-expands-junior-team-into-karting-with-kart-republic/49287 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Formula Scout |language=en-GB}} He left the academy before the start of his single-seater career in 2020.

Dufek was born to a German and Austrian father, and a British mother in London. He lives in Geneva, Switzerland.{{Cite web |title=Josh Dufek Racing {{!}} MY ROOTS |url=https://www.joshdufek.com/general-1 |access-date=2025-03-11 |website=Josh Dufek Racing |language=en}}

{{asterisk}} Season still in progress.

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate the fastest lap of top ten finishers)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

{{asterisk}} Season still in progress.

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|https://www.joshdufek.com/}}
• {{DriverDB driver|joshua-dufek}}

{{FIA Formula 3 Championship teams}}

{{Hitech Grand Prix}}

{{AIX Racing}}

{{Campos Racing}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dufek, Joshua}}

Category:Living people

Category:2004 births

Category:Swiss racing drivers

Category:Austrian racing drivers

Category:Swiss people of German descent

Category:Austrian people of German descent

Category:Karting World Championship drivers

Category:Spanish F4 Championship drivers

Category:Italian F4 Championship drivers

Category:ADAC Formula 4 drivers

Category:Formula Regional European Championship drivers

Category:Formula Regional Asian Championship drivers

Category:Formula Regional Middle East Championship drivers

Category:Sauber Motorsport drivers

Category:MP Motorsport drivers

Category:Van Amersfoort Racing drivers

Category:Hitech Grand Prix drivers

Category:AIX Racing drivers

Category:PHM Racing drivers

Category:Campos Racing drivers

Category:FIA Formula 3 Championship drivers

Category:Racing drivers from London

Category:Euroformula Open Championship drivers

Category:Motopark Academy drivers

Category:21st-century Austrian sportsmen