MATHILDA PAATZ Breaks Through for First F4 Podium at Red Bull Ring

May 19, 2025

GRRL! SUMMARY:

MATHILDA PAATZ grabbed her first-ever Formula 4 podium with a second-place finish in Race 3 at the Red Bull Ring, starting from pole position—also her first—and defending brilliantly against late pressure from Karhan. The German driver with the family-run Mathilda Racing team showed she belongs in the sharp end of F4 CEZ competition, pulling away early before settling into a defensive masterclass when Trappa eventually made the pass with five minutes remaining.
The breakthrough weekend showcased PAATZ’s resilience across three chaotic races, including a promotion to sixth in Race 1 after penalties from a dramatic rollover incident, and a charge from sixth to the lead group in Race 2 before tire degradation dropped her back to seventh. Her progression from ninth-place points scorer in her debut weekend to pole-sitter and podium finisher demonstrates the rapid learning curve that makes F4 such compelling viewing.
What makes this podium particularly satisfying is how PAATZ earned it—not through lucky circumstances but by executing under pressure when it mattered most. Starting her first pole position cleanly, building a gap, then holding her nerve against seasoned competitors in wheel-to-wheel combat shows the racing intelligence that separates promising talent from genuine contenders in the competitive F4 CEZ field.