As she turns 18, Mathilda Paatz reflects on the journey that took her from karting at Michael Schumacher's circuit in Kerpen and spending nights supporting her father at the Nürburgring to becoming an F1 ACADEMY race winner – and explains why 'The Green Hell' will always be 'The Green Heaven' to her.
Mathilda Paatz heads to the closest thing she has to a home race at the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix, with friends and family making the short journey from Germany to Zandvoort in the Netherlands to watch her compete in-person for the first time.
It's another milestone in a journey that began just a few hours away at Kerpen – the kart track local to her home in Cologne where Michael Schumacher first honed his craft.
Schumacher showed a generation of German racing drivers what was possible. Now, as one of the country's brightest young talents, Mathilda hopes to inspire the next generation in much the same way – though, as she explains, her biggest influence has always been even closer to home.
Breakthrough
Mathilda, you can already call yourself a race winner in F1 ACADEMY – a great achievement in your rookie year. What did taking victory in the Reverse Grid race in Montréal mean to you?
"It was amazing. I didn't expect it to come so early, especially after how much we struggled in the previous round in Shanghai. We improved so much in Qualifying, and once we were in the right position I knew our race pace was strong.
"To convert that into a win was incredible. Not everyone in F1 ACADEMY can call themselves a race winner, so that's something I'm really proud of."
Has it changed your belief in what you're capable of in the cockpit?
"Not too much. It confirmed what I and the team already believed. We know we have the pace and that we belong fighting at the front.
"Now it's about staying calm, keeping momentum and continuing to score points. The following round at Silverstone was more difficult for us, so it's about finding a good level of consistency.
"Every weekend is a new challenge, especially with circuits I haven't raced before, so there's still plenty for me to learn."
Have you got aims for the rest of the season?
"I would love to finish inside the top five in the championship and fight to be the highest-placed rookie at the end of the year. Another win would be amazing, especially in a Feature Race, but I'm trying to not think too far ahead.
"There are still things to improve. I feel really confident in race situations, but Qualifying is an area where I know I can get even stronger. If we can unlock a little more there, it'll make a big difference."
I was so tiny in the kart that I needed pillows so I could reach the pedals. All the other karts looked so much faster than me. But when I went out there, I felt like an F1 driver.
Taking inspiration
Long before she was standing atop an F1 ACADEMY podium, Mathilda learned to drive at Kerpen – the same kart circuit where seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher began his illustrious career. As for any young German racing driver, Schumacher is a source of inspiration – though Mathilda explains he is not the only person she looks up to.
What are your strongest memories from your early karting days?
"There's a small beginners' track at Kerpen where you learn before you're allowed onto the main circuit.
"I was so tiny in the kart that I needed pillows so I could reach the pedals. I drove around there repeatedly until one day I was finally allowed onto the main circuit with everyone else.
"I remember being so nervous because all the other karts looked so much faster than me. But when I went out there, I felt like an F1 driver. I felt like I'd earned my place.
"That was the moment I completely fell in love with racing."
You learned to race at Kerpen, following in the footsteps of Michael Schumacher – is that something you were aware of?
"When I first drove there, I didn't really understand the significance of where I was. There were just pictures of Michael everywhere but I didn’t initially know why.
"But, as I got older and learned more about his story, it became really special – he became a hero of mine.
"Every time I went to Kerpen you could feel his spirit around the place, and it made me dream bigger. It felt like a sign that I could be a racing driver."
Is there a particular reason he was your hero?
"Obviously, he's a fellow German, but the main reason is the way he pushed to get everything out of himself and the car.
"Because of my age, I didn't see him race much live, but I've watched lots of his races since and some of his performances were incredible.
"He was brilliant. I just really connected to his approach and the way he changed what it meant to be a racing driver – everything he did was focused on improving, that's what made him so good."
Every time I went to Kerpen you could feel Michael's spirit around the place, and it made me dream bigger.
Is there anyone racing now that inspires you?
"Kimi Antonelli. He's basically my age and he's already in F1. What impresses me most is the way he handles everything that comes with being in the sport, as well as leading the championship.
"Last season he had a lot of pressure on him and some criticism, but he came back stronger. Mentally that's incredibly difficult to do. He's such a calm person and just takes everything in his stride, and I think that's really inspiring."
Have you met Kimi? Has he shared any advice?
"I have, and he's given me a little bit of guidance, especially around the mentality side of racing. People underestimate how difficult it can be to deal with the attention and everything that comes with competing at the highest levels.
"He's spoken to me about staying calm, resetting after difficult moments and not letting outside noise affect you. That's been really helpful."
What have been the difficult moments so far in your career?
"Moving into Formula 4 was a huge step and I didn't have as much testing as a lot of the other drivers. At the beginning I wondered if I could compete.
"But things changed towards the end of the season, and we started getting strong results. That showed me that if you keep working and don't give up, things can turn around."
Closer to home
Schumacher inspired Mathilda then, and Antonelli does now, but it's Mathilda's parents who have been the constant thread of support throughout – gently guiding her on and off the racetrack.
Racing has been in her life forever. It's a passion which ignited as a toddler at one of motorsport's most iconic venues.
We'd stay in a hotel next to the Nürburgring and my dad would tell me I had to go to sleep before his night stint, but I'd just stand at the window waiting for him to drive past late into the night.
How did your interest in motorsport begin?
"My dad had been racing for years before I was born and from a very young age, I'd be at the track helping him however I could.
"Our nearest circuit to home is the Nürburgring and I've been going there with him for as long as I can remember.
"Whenever he had an endurance race there, we'd stay in a hotel next to the circuit. My dad would tell me I had to go to sleep before his night stint, but I'd just stand at the window waiting for him to drive past late into the night.
"When he came back to the room afterwards to get some sleep, I'd be wide awake ready to greet him – that always surprised him!
"Now, our roles have switched. I've always supported him, and now he's my biggest supporter. He's sacrificed a lot to help me race and to watch me compete.
"And then, when not at the racetrack, my mum has always been there to help me relax and to help me catch up with schoolwork.
"They've both sacrificed so much and I'm incredibly thankful for everything they've done."
Both you and your father are racing drivers. Do you plan to compete together?
"It's something we've talked about for a long time, and we have plans to do it at our favourite place.
"Once I turn 18, the plan is to get my permit to enter the Nürburgring 24 Hours so we can compete together.
"For me, it won't be about the winning. It will just be a chance for us to spend some time together and have fun on track. Doing what we enjoy most together would be really special.
"It would really bring everything full circle. From me watching him race through the hotel window as a little girl to us racing together on one of the greatest circuits in the world."
It's important to show that German motorsport isn't just history – that there are still young drivers coming through and exciting things happening.
Flying the flag
Focusing in on the upcoming rounds at Zandvoort, it's an opportunity for wider friends and family to see Mathilda racing in F1 ACADEMY for the first time.
How special will the Dutch Grand Prix weekend be?
"It's going to be amazing.
"It's one of only two European races we have and it's only about three hours from my home in Cologne, so a lot of my family and friends will be able to come along.
"My mum will be there. I'm very excited for her to see what I do. And a few of my close friends are coming over. I'm going to take them around my F1 ACADEMY garage and show them the F1 paddock. It's the first time a lot of them will see me race in real life.
"Most of my friends know me as Mathilda from school or home. They don't really see this side of my life.
"Now, they'll get to see me working with Aston Martin Aramco and PREMA, and really see what this world is all about."
A home race for you would be in Germany, but there's no German round on the F1 and feeder category calendars. What's your assessment on motorsport interest in Germany and, as one of the country's brightest young drivers, do you feel a responsibility to help inspire the next generation at home?
"Motorsport feels a bit more difficult to participate in now in Germany, but there are still so many people who care about it.
"I think it's important to show that German motorsport isn't just history – that there are still young drivers coming through and exciting things happening. If I can help bring some of that energy back, that would make me really happy.
"I'd love to see the German Grand Prix return one day, at the Nürburgring, Hockenheim, or somewhere else!
"That would be great. But, for now, a little slice of Germany will be in Zandvoort – it will be like a home from home.
"Hopefully I can give them something to celebrate."
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Determined, talented, and hard-working. Mathilda has risen through the karting ranks into single-seaters, impressing with her speed and competitiveness. Tap below to learn even more about our new driver.
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