Mathilda Paatz ended the home race of the ADAC Kart Masters at the Erftlandring in Kerpen with mixed feelings. Although the TB Racing Team driver was able to climb onto the podium once again with a third place overall, her starting position in the title fight has not improved. Nevertheless, the 14-year-old remains optimistic ahead of the finale in Mülsen.
Mathilda Paatz was looking forward to the home race at the well-known Erftlandring in Kerpen. After her strong performance in the WSK Euro Series, the TB Racing Team driver was confident that she would also score points at her home race in the ADAC Kart Masters. With fourth place in qualifying, Paatz established a solid starting position, which she wanted to improve in the following heats.
In both heats, the promotional driver from the German Sports Driver’s Association dueled with her male opponents for the top three. Paatz finished the first heat in third place, while in the second race she came fourth. This meant third place on the grid for the first main race on Sunday.
There, Mathilda Paatz got off to a perfect start, which initially put her at the front of the field. The Rhinelander collected the first leading kilometres in the OK Juniors. But she did not manage to build up a lead over the chasers. As a result, the 14-year-old got involved in several duels. In the process, she lost her rhythm and had to forfeit several positions. Paatz finished the race in fifth place, but benefited from a penalty against the competition.
Although the student was classified in fourth place, this decision was made after the end of the event. Therefore, Paatz had to start the second race from fifth place. There, the ambassador of „Women in Motorsport“ showed a good performance, which was finally rewarded with fourth place. As a result of a time penalty, the 14-year-old slipped up one position again.
Difficult starting position in the title fight
In the day’s standings, the Cologne native finished third in her home race, behind Luca Schwab and guest starter Jindrich Pešl. „I can be satisfied with a podium finish this weekend. However, I had good chances for a better result, especially in the first race,“ Mathilda Paatz is self-critical. „I had the chance to stand at the top of the podium. In the fight for the championship title everything is still open, but a win in Mülsen is mandatory!“
In the fight for the championship title everything is still open, but a win in Mülsen is mandatory!
Mathilda Paatz
In the overall standings, Mathilda Paatz is tied on points with Simon Rechenmacher (179 points) in second and third place respectively. The gap to the leader Luca Schwab is just six points. Before the finals in Mülsen (10th and 11th September) it is already clear that the title fight will be decided between the three teammates from the TB Racing Team. Things look even better for Mathilda Paatz in the Ladies Cup. Here, the ADAC Nordrhein protégé is leading the standings ahead of Claudia Henning. She has the best chance of triumphing for the second time since 2020.
First, however, there are exciting days ahead for Paatz, because the 14-year-old will take part in the shoot-out of „FIA Girls on Track“ in Paul Ricard, France. There she has the opportunity to qualify for the decisive Ferrari Driving Academy scouting camp, which takes place in November.
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