After a disappointing start, Mathilda Paatz literally got her act together again at the FIA European Karting Championship race in Trinec, Czech Republic: A technical defect destroyed the important qualifying session, so that the DPK-Racing driver had to start from the back of the field in the heats. The initial frustration turned into a desire for overtaking manoeuvres, so that Paatz shone with numerous position gains over the course of the weekend.
At the second round of the Champions of the Future Euro Series (CotF) in Trinec, Czech Republic, Mathilda Paatz impressed with a strong recovery: After an unsuccessful qualifying in which the DPK-Racing driver was thwarted by an opponent, she managed much better in the heats and gradually fought her way to the front. In the pre-final on Saturday, Paatz was able to prove her talent when she made up 13 positions. Nevertheless, the 14-year-old missed out on the final she had hoped for, but the steep learning curve gives her confidence.
Mathilda Paatz, one of the talented young drivers in international motorsport, will continue to be sponsored by the Deutscher Sportfahrer Kreis e.V. in the 2023 season. The Cologne native, who is competing in international kart races in Europe this year, is delighted about the important support. The aim of the joint cooperation is to inspire more women to take up motorsport.
At the opening round of the FIA European Kart Championship, which took place last weekend in Valencia, Spain, Mathilda Paatz convinced as the only German participant in the OK class with a fighting performance. Although the driver from DPK-Racing, Fernando Alonso's Spanish junior team, was slowed down by technical problems on Thursday and thus had a lack of experience to show, the 14-year-old from Cologne remained optimistic until the end of the weekend. This ambition was rewarded.
Strong OK debut for Mathilda Paatz from Cologne: At the WSK Super Master Series in Franciacorta, Italy, the 14-year-old, who is competing for DPK-Racing this season, convinced with a solid performance. After an unlucky qualifying, Paatz fought her way to the front in the heats with strong overtaking manoeuvres - and narrowly missed out on a place in the final. Nevertheless, the Rhinelander is satisfied with her debut weekend with the Spanish DPK team.
The season planning is complete, the first race is just around the corner: Mathilda Paatz will start in the 2023 season for DPK-Racing, the Spanish junior team of Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso. The fast Cologne native will take part in the races of the FIA Kart European and World Championship and the Champions of the Future Euro Series. In addition, the first test drives in a formula car are on the agenda to be perfectly positioned for the future.
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.
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.
At the WSK Final Cup in Lonato, Italy, Mathilda Paatz made a strong statement at the end of the season: In qualifying, the KR Motorsport works driver achieved sixth place out of 79 participants. In addition, Paatz celebrated a third place in the heats. Although the season has now come to an end, the 14-year-old is satisfied with her performance. Her international competitiveness gives her hope for the challenges ahead.
Last weekend, Mathilda Paatz competed for medals at the FIA Motorsport Games in France. The Cologne native represented Germany in the "Karting Sprint Junior" category and competed with 30 other talented youngsters from all over the world. With 13th place overall, she just missed out on the top ten, but the 14-year-old looks back on an exciting and eventful weekend. Paatz already received a great honour on Wednesday: she was allowed to open the international event together with ex-Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa.
