It's a well-known fact that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. In the case of Michael and Mathilda Paatz, the motorsport father-daughter team from Cologne, this saying is particularly true. Last year, the duo was so successful that it was enough to win the title twice in the ADAC North Rhine Championships. Michael Paatz celebrated victory in the endurance classification, while daughter Mathilda Paatz dominated in the karting championship.

The guests present were astonished when the name "Paatz" was mentioned twice at the award ceremony of the ADAC Nordrhein in Bonn last weekend - in different categories. While Michael Paatz won the endurance championship, daughter Mathilda Paatz triumphed in the karting classification. The duo thus won twice and made the successful family evening perfect.

"I have obviously passed on my motorsport genes well," smiles father Michael Paatz. "It's nice that we're both so successful, even though I've probably long since passed the peak of my career, unlike Mathilda." Daughter Mathilda, who already won the ADAC Nordrhein karting championship in 2020, adds: "The ADAC Nordrhein rankings give additional motivation and it's nice when an exhausting season is rewarded with a title win!"

Father and daughter as a fast duo

Michael Paatz has been active on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife for many years, including at the legendary 24h race. Last year, the Cologne native dominated the VT2 FWD class of the Nürburgring Endurance Series with the VW Scirocco R. With five class wins in eight races, Paatz and his own team "mathilda racing" - named after his daughter - not only snatched the class winner's trophy and the NIMEX Team Trophy, but also eleventh place in the overall standings. These successes were ultimately enough to win the title in the ADAC Nordrhein long-distance championship.

Daughter Mathilda Paatz already followed in her father's footsteps a few years ago and is now also active in motorsport. The 14-year-old competed in the OK Juniors in karting last season and collected numerous podium places. In addition to highlights in the Italian WSK series, Paatz was particularly successful at national level. In the ADAC Kart Masters, the "speed girl" achieved third place overall and at the same time celebrated victory in the Ladies Cup. Subsequently, the ambassador of "Women in Motorsport" was also able to celebrate in the kart championship of the ADAC Nordrhein.

Father and daughter will continue to turn the steering wheel and pursue their passion for motorsport in the 2023 season. While Michael Paatz will once again fight for best times and victories in a VW Scirocco R in the Nürburgring Endurance Series, Mathilda Paatz will move up to the OC Seniors. There, the 14-year-old will compete in the rounds of the FIA Kart World and European Championships. As a sponsorship candidate of the ADAC Nordrhein Foundation, Paatz can look forward to important support that will help her in races all over Europe.

8. February 2023 Other