17-year-old German Mathilda Paatz will join Aston Martin in the F1 Academy in 2026 after a tough four-driver shootout.
Aston Martin has signed a young German driver for the 2026 F1 Academy season: Mathilda Paatz, 17, from Cologne. The team presentation took place at the Aston Martin Technology Campus in Silverstone in front of 150 invited guests, including 25 young female drivers, and was broadcast live on TikTok.
Paatz previously prevailed against three competitors in an intensive selection process. The race took place in Mugello in a Formula 4 car. Aston Martin and PREMA tested speed, technical work, data comprehension, and consistency.
Nuno Pinto, the new racing director of the Aston Martin Driver Academy, says: “We wanted a fair and tough assessment, so we organized a shootout on the demanding Mugello circuit. Each driver was given a day in a Formula 4 car.”
He then praises Paatz explicitly: “Mathilda wasn’t just the fastest. She also showed consistency, maturity, and a real fighting spirit. Her performance was strong enough not only to earn her a place in the F1 Academy, but also to be accepted into our junior program.“ PREMA will field her in 2026. She will drive in green Aston Martin livery.
Paatz: ”I couldn’t be happier”
The 17-year-old is overwhelmed. “I am really proud to represent Aston Martin in the F1 Academy,” says Paatz. “I have worked incredibly hard for this, and now I am fully focused on preparing for the coming season.” Several new tracks await her: “There will be a lot to learn, but I feel confident because I am getting so much support from Aston Martin and PREMA.”
She was particularly impressed by her first day at the AMRTC: “I met so many incredible people. I immediately felt at home—everyone was very welcoming. I couldn’t be happier and can’t wait to finally start racing.”
Jessica Hawkins, Head of the F1 Academy at Aston Martin, emphasizes the importance of the project: “I am delighted to welcome Mathilda. The F1 Academy is a great environment for developing talent and raising its profile.”
She highlights the role model effect: “The drivers in this series inspire a new generation of girls in motorsport.” At the same time, she bids farewell to her predecessor Tina Hausmann: “We wish Tina all the best for the next step in her career.”
Why Aston Martin is backing Paatz – and how strong her background is
Despite her young age, Paatz already has an impressive resume. She started karting in 2019, finished third in the ADAC Kart Masters (Mini) in 2020, and won the Ladies Cup in 2022. She made the switch to formula racing in 2024 in French Formula 4 as the first female driver in the ADAC Junior Program. In 2025, she followed this up with several victories in the E4 Championship – Trophy Woman and podium finishes in Italian F4. In June 2025, she competed in the F1 Academy for the first time as a wild card – in Montreal in the Hitech car. Also in 2025, she secured her first podium finish in the F4 CEZ Championship, coming second at the Red Bull Ring, a historic achievement for a female driver in this series. Her career path is an ideal fit for Aston Martin. The brand emphasizes that promoting women in motorsport is “a central component of its long-term strategy for developing young talent.”
