Looking up to Michael Schumacher, listening to classical music before lights out, and losing a suitcase on her way to the AMR Technology Campus. Get to know Aston Martin Aramco's new F1 ACADEMY driver, Mathilda Paatz.
We have a new driver in our ranks. 17-year-old Mathilda Paatz will represent Aston Martin Aramco in the ultra-competitive, all-female F1 ACADEMY series in 2026, driving for PREMA Racing.
But what can we expect from her behind the wheel? Who are her motorsport heroes? And which TV series should we be binge-watching? We asked her the all-important questions...
1 | Where are you from?
"I was born in Cologne. It's still home when I'm not travelling to races."
2 | How did you get into motorsport?
"My dad is a racing driver. He has his own team and has competed in races like the 24 Hours of Nurburgring. When my mum was expecting me, he took a break from racing but soon after I was born he wanted to get back into it.
"He named the team after me and I was soon joining him at the racetrack, doing whatever I could do to help."
3 | Did you have any other interests growing up?
"I skied a lot and during the global pandemic, I moved to Austria to train on the slopes. I competed in the German championship and I was working towards the Winter Olympics.
"But I'd also tried racing cars and I got the bug; I just had to do it. Eventually, skiing and racing was too much at once, so I chose motorsport.
"Since then, I've driven in some karting World Championships and last year I switched into single seaters."
4 | How difficult was it to pick between skiing and motorsport?
"It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. I had a home in Austria and a team of family and friends. I had everything there and I was constantly training, but there was something about motorsport that kept calling to me.
"When I thought about quitting motorsport for skiing I couldn't live with the idea of not driving again; that's what helped me make the decision."
5 | What's been the best moment of your career so far?
"This year I got my first podium in single seaters in a mixed gender field. I finished second at the Red Bull Ring in the Formula 4 CEZ Championship and I made history in doing so. It felt so good showing everyone what I can do. And the boys would come up to me after and say 'you're fast.' That was nice to hear."
6 | You've visited the AMR Technology Campus. What were your first impressions?
"I actually had a challenging, but amusing, start to my visit. On the trip to London, my suitcase got lost, so all I had was the sweater and joggers I travelled in. That's how I had to show up the next day at the AMR Technology Campus.
"I was thinking, 'Oh my God, everyone's looking smart in their work clothes and I just look like some teenager that's come straight from their sofa.'
"Luckily, the team quickly gave me my kit and I immediately felt at home. I wasn't expecting the AMR Technology Campus to be so huge and it took a moment to realise that this is part of my life.
"I met so many great people, including Driver Ambassador and Head of F1 ACADEMY Jessica Hawkins. I had a brilliant time."
7 | You participated as a wildcard driver in F1 ACADEMY in Montréal. How did you find it?
"It was great. After my podium in Austria, I got the F1 ACADEMY wildcard invite.
"I'd never been that far away from home and it was my first ever Grand Prix weekend, so if I wasn't driving I'd be watching the F1 cars.
"There were so many fans; I'd never seen so many in my life. I really enjoyed my time on and off the track and it was a good experience to take into next season."
8 | Who are your motorsport heroes?
"My first hero is my dad. I'm very close to him because we're both racing drivers and he's taught me so much.
"Next, like so many, is Michael Schumacher. I drove a lot at the Michael Schumacher karting track in Kerpen because it's 20 minutes from my home. I was there a lot growing up and there are pictures of him everywhere. And then I started supporting his son, Mick, because I could relate to the father-child dynamic.
"And Susie Wolff has done a lot of great work in motorsport; she's very inspiring. My goal is to emulate her and be someone young girls look up to one day."
9 | Do you have any superstitions or pre-race rituals?
"Not really. I listen to music and talk with my coach before I get in the car, and we always say remember to have fun. You want a good result, you want to deliver, but that can take the fun away, and without fun, you're not driving well."
Mathilda's first day
Go behind the scenes of Mathilda's first day with the team as she explored the AMR Technology Campus and met Driver Ambassador and Head of F1 ACADEMY Jessica Hawkins.
10 | Can you describe your driving style?
"I would say it's very clean. I'm very consistent, hitting every apex. I want to be 100 per cent perfect, and if it's necessary I can be attacking. I'd also say I'm a good starter."
11 | How many languages do you speak?
"Three: German, English, and French. And I'm learning Italian as most of the PREMA Racing team is Italian."
12 | Have you passed your driving test?
"Not yet, I'm still learning. I'm hoping to do my test soon."
13 | What car would you love to drive?
"An F1 car! I talked to Jessica about driving an F1 car and it sounded incredible. It's the dream."
14 | Are you still studying at school?
"I am. I'm still at high school, studying subjects like English and Geography."
15 | Do you have any pets?
"Because of all the travelling I do, I don't have any right now, but I really love dogs. My grandparents had eight sausage dogs!"
16 | What's your favourite food?
"Pasta, steak, and I love burrata. But I can't eat it very often!"
17 | What do you do to relax?
"I love any type of sport. I tried everything when I was younger and one I still do is dancing. I did loads of different genres when I was younger and I still do hip-hop now. It helps free your mind and it's a lot of fun."
18 | What music do you listen to?
"I'm probably quite boring. I love to listen to pop or whatever's in the charts, artists like Billie Eilish or Travis Scott.
"What many people don't know about me is I love classical music. I feel like I get extra power from listening to it. There's one accompanist who does covers of film soundtracks and my favourite of his is The Pirates of the Caribbean. It's great."
19 | Have you got any good TV or film recommendations?
"The last thing I watched was Grey's Anatomy, which I enjoyed. I'd also recommend Maxton Hall which is a German-language series. I met some of the cast in Cologne, which was very cool. And The Summer I Turned Pretty is a show everyone should watch."
20 | Ultimately, what do you want to achieve in motorsport?
"I want to work up the single-seater pyramid as high as possible, and the ultimate dream would be to drive an F1 car, just like Jessica did.
"After that, coaching or helping young girls have a platform like Susie Wolff has would be great too; I just love being in motorsport. But first, I want a long career behind the wheel!"
Get to know Mathilda
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.
Aston Martin Aramco Driver Academy
From karting to single-seaters, the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team Driver Academy is dedicated to identifying and developing the next generation of exceptional motorsport talent.
The Academy provides a clear path to the top tiers of racing through tailored racecraft mentorship, simulator work, physical training, media coaching and race weekend immersion.
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