Interview
‘I want to make them proud’ – Paatz shares her hopes of becoming Top Rookie with Aston Martin
Mathilda Paatz is optimistic that she can make the most of Aston Martin’s backing and come out on top amid tight competition to earn the top rookie honours in 2026.
After gaining experience at Formula 4 level, the German driver was announced as the Wild Card entry in Montreal last season. While the round wasn’t quite smooth-sailing – multiple crashes prevented Paatz from scoring – she caught the eye of Aston Martin.
She then came out on top in a comprehensive evaluation programme against three other drivers, gaining a spot in their driver academy as well as a full-time seat on this season’s grid as one of 11 rookies.
Asked whether the step to the bigger platform F1 ACADEMY offers makes her feel nervous, Paatz responded: “I wouldn't say nervous, but I definitely recognise that. With Aston Martin behind me, I definitely want to do a good job.
“It's not that they are like, you need to win this series, but of course I want to make them happy. I want to make them proud, not only myself.
“Of course there's a bit of pressure, and more people looking at you is obviously something I notice, but the priority is obviously the action on track.”
She added that she learned “a lot” from her “great” experience as a Wild Card driver and wants to do a much better job when she returns to Montreal for Round 2.
“It didn’t go that well on track, but we made good improvements and I learned a lot on how to switch and adapt very quickly,” Paatz explained. “We're working on that, but overall I think we can make a good comeback this year in Montreal.”
Now working alongside reigning Teams’ Champions PREMA Racing, the 17-year-old faces tough competition from her two rookie teammates Payton Westcott and Natalia Granada, but Paatz is positive that she will tackle the challenges of the season head-on.
“I feel very confident, to be honest, with Aston Martin and PREMA,” she said. “Of course, it's my first season so everything is new – the tracks and all the surroundings, but I think we can do a good job at one point.
“I did something to impress Aston Martin that they chose me, so there's definitely something I take from that. I think we can be the best rookie this season.”