Paatz pushes limits: young german driver makes f1 academy debut
Mathilda Paatz, a name rapidly gaining traction in motorsport, is embarking on a thrilling journey into the world of Formula 1 with her debut in the F1 Academy series. At just 17 years old and already boasting a formidable karting pedigree – starting her career at a remarkable ten years old – Paatz’s arrival is generating significant buzz.
Silverstone testing ignites hopes for montreal
This week saw the return of the F1 ACADEMY cars to the track at Silverstone, providing Paatz with invaluable testing time ahead of the upcoming race in Montreal. The young German driver is determined to maximize her potential and build upon a strong start to the season.
Paatz’s journey to F1 Academy has been nothing short of meteoric. Initially announced as Aston Martin Aramco’s driver for the 2026 F1 ACADEMY season in November, she quickly established herself, securing a podium finish in Shanghai during her debut weekend. Since then, she’s consistently delivered impressive results, including victories in the 2025 E4 Championship and a third-place finish at the 2022 ADAC Kart Masters – Ladies Cup.
But it was her performance at last year’s F1 ACADEMY race in Montreal – a wildcard appearance – that truly propelled her forward, ultimately securing her a seat with Aston Martin Aramco and PREMA Racing. “Working with the team at PREMA, and Aston Martin Aramco, it’s just a pretty amazing experience,” she told me over the phone, reflecting on the opportunity. “We’re really pushing ourselves to the limit.”
Shanghai provided a valuable learning curve. Despite a challenging Qualifying session resulting in a position outside the points, Paatz and her team demonstrated remarkable racecraft, overtaking numerous cars and engaging in intense battles. She highlighted a surprising highlight: “I also got to see the culture outside from the track, so that was pretty amazing. I've been learning so much on track, and really working together with the team at PREMA, and with Aston Martin Aramco, [it's] just a pretty amazing experience.”
Paatz’s focus now shifts to Silverstone, where she’s keen to refine her setup and further develop her skills. “We’re hoping we can push ourselves to the maximum, the team, the car and myself obviously and then feel confident for the next round,” she stated. “It’s a comeback for me as being the Wildcard so I hope to just step up the game and show what we can do with the team.”
Beyond the technical aspects, Paatz’s experience with fellow rookies – a dedicated group chat – has proven invaluable. “Natalia and I spend quite a lot of time together,” she explained. “Every rookie is pretty cool.” She also revealed a heartwarming experience in Shanghai: “What I heard the most was ‘Mathilda can I take a picture?’ But I got really nice messages about like being welcomed into the ACADEMY and wishing me good luck. [Also] really nice messages throughout the weekend to keep pushing, that we showed a really good pace and they can't wait for me to get back on track.”
From personalized gifts – including a miniature Aston Martin Lego heart – to the simple joy of connecting with fans, Paatz’s journey is a testament to the passion and dedication driving the next generation of motorsport stars. Jessica Hawkins, head of F1 ACADEMY at Aston Martin Aramco, has been a key influence, emphasizing the importance of a positive mindset and unwavering focus. “She brings a lot of experience and I just try to soak up everything. What I really like is her positive, but still focused mindset. It’s really helped me in the races to keep my head cool and to really focus on the goal.”
Looking ahead to Montreal, Paatz’s game plan is clear: build on her experience, solidify her confidence, and aim for a strong result. “Definitely to continue building the experience, to build my confidence and to develop myself as a driver, but as well as aiming for points,” she concluded. “We missed out in Shanghai but we showed we have the pace for points, so definitely aiming for those.”