Mathilda Paatz has made it to the final of the FIA project 'Girls on Track - Rising Stars'! The Cologne native was already one of the 14 best young female racers from all over the world and was now able to celebrate another success at the important shoot-out in Le Castellet, France. Paatz had to hold her own against seven competitors from her age group and convinced the expert jury, so that she qualified as one of four juniors for the decisive FIA-FDA Karting Scouting Camp of the Ferrari Driver Academy in November.
In the penultimate stage of the FIA project 'Girls On Track - Rising Stars', 14 talented female racing drivers from twelve countries took part, including Mathilda Paatz as the only girl from Germany. The 14-year-old was already selected by the expert jury a few weeks ago because she attracted attention with strong successes in karting. This means that the sponsored driver from ADAC Nordrhein has the best chance of winning the coveted place in the "Ferrari Driving Academy".
But first Paatz had to hold her own against her opponents in the shoot-out at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France. Under the watchful eyes of six jury members, including professional racing driver Rahel Frey (driver for 'Iron Dames' and class winner of this year's 24h of Spa), the talents had to prove themselves both on the race track and in physical and mental activities. And that's where the ambitious training of the past months paid off. Mathilda Paatz was not only one of the fastest girls in the kart, but also achieved top scores in the fitness check, reaction test and so on.
Mathilda Paatz with ambition in the final
For three days, the young female racers had to face the tough demands of the expert jury, then the final decision was made: Mathilda Paatz may participate in the final at the famous headquarters of the Ferrari Driver Academy in Maranello (Italy) as one of four junior drivers. If the sponsored driver from the German Sports Drivers' Circle prevails against the remaining three competitors from France, Italy and Japan, an international karting season at the famous Ferrari Driver Academy beckons.
"I am happy and proud to have made it to the final," Mathilda Paatz cheers. "This decision gives me tailwind and new courage, because now I know that I am indeed one of the world's best girls in motorsport. Now the ambition is aroused to also convince with a strong performance in Italy to emerge as a winner from the competition this year." The final of 'FIA Girls on Track - Rising Stars' will take place on 21 November in Maranello, Italy.
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