After a strong 2022 season, in which Mathilda Paatz set numerous highlights and was able to prove herself on the international stage, the signs are set for attack in 2023. In future, the Cologne-based driver will compete for DPK-Racing, the junior team of F1 world champion Fernando Alonso, in the European and World Championship races. In addition, the "speed girl" can look forward to an important support: Mathilda Paatz is now part of the "Motorsport Team Germany" of ADAC Stiftung Sport and the German Motorsport Federation (DMSB), one of the most important promoters of young talent in international motorsport.
Last year, the DMSB, which as the top motorsport association in the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) is responsible for the top national squads, and the ADAC Sports Foundation merged their successful talent promotion programmes. Germany's best motorsport talents are promoted in the so-called "Motorsport Team Germany". They receive support in various areas, for example fitness and mental training, sponsoring and media work, but also with regard to the technology of the racing cars.
In the past, the sponsorship programmes were helpful stepping stones for young motorsport drivers. Sebastian Vettel, Nico Hülkenberg and Rene Rast were once among the ADAC Sports Foundation's sponsored drivers. For the 2023 season, 33 athletes between the ages of twelve and 23 have been accepted, including Mathilda Paatz. The schoolgirl already made a strong impression last year during a guest appearance in "Motorsport Team Germany". The 14-year-old represented Germany at the FIA Motorsport Games in southern France. In the category "Karting Sprint Junior", in which the 30 best athletes of her country competed, the Rhinelander reached 13th place after a good final race. Paatz also competed for Germany in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy.
Paatz starts 2023 at the OK Seniors
"I am proud to have been appointed to the Motorsport Team Germany squad," beamed Mathilda Paatz at the public presentation of the support squad during the ADAC Supercross in Dortmund. "The entire support programme supports me in my development and will definitely help me in my career. It's important to also learn the necessary craft away from the race track, such as media work as well as fitness and mental training. My goal is to become a professional motorsport driver, so the support from the ADAC Sports Foundation and the DMSB is very important!"
The 2023 season will be trend-setting for Mathilda Paatz, who is moving up from the OK Junior class to the OK Seniors. This year, the sponsored driver from the Deutscher Sportfahrerkreis will compete for DPK-Racing, the junior team of Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso, and will take part in important races of the FIA Kart World and European Championships. In addition, Paatz will compete in the Champions of the Future Euro Series.
At the same time, the 14-year-old is focusing on formula racing. Already in March, she will complete the first test drives in Formula 4 at the Nürburgring. "I'm looking forward to an exciting season," Mathilda Paatz beams. "The first test drives in the OK Seniors were very promising and I am motivated to make further progress this year. At the same time, I'm excited to see how the first steps in the formula car go. It will be an exciting season in which I want to prove once again that women in racing are not just decorative accessories!
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