The Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team has officially signed 17-year-old German and ProRacing Motorsport driver Mathilda Paatz from Cologne for the 2026 F1 Academy season, the all-female development series. She will race in the iconic Aston Martin Aramco green livery with PREMA Racing, a team renowned for nurturing junior talent.
Paatz emerged from an intensive evaluation at Mugello Circuit, where four candidates vied in Formula 4 cars. Aston Martin and PREMA Racing evaluated on-track speed, technical proficiency, and data analysis skills. Nuno Pinto, the newly appointed Racing Director of the Aston Martin Aramco Driver Academy, oversaw the process with a focus on F1 Academy programs.
The reveal occurred today at the Aston Martin Racing Technology Campus in Silverstone, partnered with Cosmopolitan Magazine and backed by TikTok and ELEMIS. Around 150 young women, including karting talents, attended, followed by a panel on F1 Academy’s role in boosting female representation in motorsport. The event streamed live on TikTok to a global audience
Born August 1, 2008, Paatz started karting at age four with her father Michael, securing podiums in ADAC Kart Masters and FIA Karting events. She debuted in single-seaters with French F4 in 2024 (20th overall), then excelled in 2025 F4 CEZ with Mathilda Racing, claiming a Red Bull Ring podium and finishing 8th with 94 points. Her F1 Academy debut came as a Gatorade-sponsored wild card in Montreal with Hitech GP, netting a best of 11th.
Mathilda Paatz, Aston Martin Aramco Formula OneTM Team F1 ACADEMY driver, said: “I’m really proud to be representing Aston Martin Aramco Formula OneTM Team in F1 ACADEMY next year. This is something I’ve worked incredibly hard for and my focus now is on preparing for the season ahead. There will be lots to learn, including several new circuits, but I feel confident knowing I have so much support from Aston Martin Aramco and PREMA Racing. I had a great first day at the AMRTC in Silverstone meeting so many incredible people from the Aston Martin Aramco team. I immediately felt at home and everybody was very welcoming. I couldn’t be happier and I can’t wait to get racing!”
Nuno Pinto, Racing Director, Aston Martin Aramco Formula OneTM Team Driver Academy: In partnership with PREMA Racing, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of four drivers before selecting who would represent Aston Martin Aramco in the 2026 F1 ACADEMY series. To ensure a rigorous and fair assessment, we held a shootout at the demanding Mugello circuit, giving each driver a day in an F4 car to showcase their capabilities. Mathilda not only emerged as the fastest driver, but also demonstrated consistency, maturity and a competitive spirit. Her performance was strong enough not just to secure the F1 ACADEMY seat, but also to earn herself a place in the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One TeamTM Driver Academy. We are delighted to welcome her as both our F1 ACADEMY driver and a member of our development programme, and we look forward to supporting her throughout this exciting next step in her career.
Jessica Hawkins, Driver Ambassador & Head of F1 ACADEMY, Aston Martin Aramco Formula OneTM Team: “I’m really pleased to be welcoming Mathilda to our team. F1 ACADEMY continues to be such a brilliant platform for developing and showcasing emerging talent, offering young drivers the support and visibility they need to grow. The amazing drivers competing in the series are not only shaping the future of the sport but also inspiring the next generation of female racers, showing what’s possible when passion is encouraged and supported. We’re excited to begin our journey with Mathilda and we wish Tina [Hausmann] all the best in the next chapter of her career.”
The management of Mathilda Paatz, Pro Racing Motorsport, expressed great satisfaction following the signing with Aston Martin.
Marco Cioci, CEO Pro Racing Motorsport: “We can’t wait for the season to begin. We will do everything possible to ensure Mathilda fights at the front. Even in her first year, our target is to be immediately in the leading group and, in the second half of the season, among the contenders for the title. It’s a demanding challenge, but Mathilda has already shown speed, sensitivity and great determination. We are very pleased and we start with the clear intention of being protagonists, not just participants.”
Giancarlo Fisichella, CEO Pro Racing Motorsport: “This is not just a major step, it is a major opportunity. Mathilda’s qualities push us to approach 2026 with a mindset that goes beyond a simple learning year. With the talent she has shown, we must think in terms of high-level results. We will stand by her throughout this journey, convinced that she can achieve something truly important.”