Aston Martin announces Mathilda Paatz for 2026 F1 Academy campaign

Mathilda Paatz has been announced as the next Aston Martin entry for the 2026 F1 Academy season, as the German racer returns to the all-female series after making her debut in 2025 as Wild Card at the Canadian Grand Prix, now joining the series full time in a Prema entry.

Photo credits: Aston Martin Aramco

Mathilda Paatz has been announced as the next Aston Martin entry for the 2026 F1 Academy season, as the German racer returns to the all-female series after making her debut in 2025 as Wild Card at the Canadian Grand Prix, now joining the series full time in a Prema entry.

Paatz made her single-seater debut in French F4 in 2024 before moving to F4 CEZ in 2025, has been the protagonist of a strong campaign in the Central European Zone series, racing for her family-operated team Mathilda Racing. She consistently battled in the top ten and, after the second round at Red Bull Ring where she secured her maiden podium with a second place, Paatz became a frequent top-five finisher, eventually ending eighth overall in the standings with 12 point scoring results.

The 17 year old German also made her F1 Academy debut at Montreal as a wildcard entry, showcasing great pace and only missing out on points due to unlucky circumstances, but establishing herself as one of the most convincing wildcards of the year in the all-female championship.

Continuing to add crucial experience to her resumé, Paatz joined the Italian F4 field at Barcelona for her first outing in the highly competitive series, one of the most prestigious F4 championships globally, battling for top 20. She returned to Italian F4 for the finale in Misano, claiming her first top-20 and a win in the female trophy.

At the end of the season she would also join the continental F4 series, E4 Championship, again under the banner of Mathilda Racing, for rounds at Mugello and Monza. Paatz impressed with strong runs to four top 20 finishes, including personal bests of P15 and P16 at Monza. Over six races, she collected four female trophy wins.

After two years with Swiss Tina Hausmann, who has now reached her two-year limit in F1 Academy, Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team will continue its support of a female talent in F1 Academy, now taking on young German Mathilda Paatz - who also joins the team's Driver Academy - in a Prema Racing entry.

"I'm really proud to be representing Aston Martin Aramco in F1 Academy next year", Paatz commented. "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 AMR Technology Campus 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!"

Paatz secured the seat after an evaluation programme at Mugello, when she emerged ahead of three other drivers where skills such as pace, technical ability and understanding of data were assessed.

Paatz is the seventh driver already confirmed for the 2026 F1 Academy season to date.