The new drivers for the ADAC Formula 4 Junior Team have been confirmed: Mathilda Paatz and Montego Maassen will start in the French Formula 4 Championship in 2024
Mathilda Paatz and Montego Maassen will compete for the ADAC Formula 4 Junior Team in the French Formula 4 Championship in the 2024 season. The two youngsters will make the move up from karting and contest their first season in Formula 4 cars.
Paatz is also the first woman in the ADAC Formula 4 Junior Team. “I’m looking forward to this task and am highly motivated,” says the 15-year-old from Cologne. “Above all, I want to counter the prejudices against women in motorsport with a good performance.”
Last season Paatz competed for DPK-Racing, the junior team of Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso, in the international karting championships. Nonetheless, the Rhinelander gained her first experience of Formula racing when she was allowed to test in the Prema Powerteam’s current Formula 4 racer as part of the FIA’s “Girls on Track” junior project.
In the process, the ADAC Sports Foundation protégé was able to impress and qualify for the finale in November, which takes place at the Italian circuit in Fiorano. “Currently, the anticipation of my first year in a Formula 4 racer is predominant,” says Paatz. “I’m not putting any pressure on myself and I’m trying to gain as much experience as possible in my first season. “
Youngster Maassen with gasoline in his blood
The Cologne native will join Maassen in the hunt for times: The 15-year-old talent is the son of Sascha Maassen, who was also active as a professional racing driver and celebrated two class victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2003 and 2004.
It’s a goal that the youngster is also striving for: “I watch the race every year with enormous enthusiasm. To compete there one day is a big dream of mine,” says Maassen. “From my point of view, Formula 4 in France is the perfect platform to master the first steps in formula racing. I’m also eagerly anticipating the challenging race tracks. “
This season, Maassen finished second overall in the Rotax Max Challenge Germany. The 15-year-old uses intensive simulator training to prepare for the 21 Formula 4 races over seven weekends. The French Formula 4 championship is contested with standardized vehicles from the manufacturer Mygale.
A centralized operation with its own mechanics and engineers by the series operator FFSA guarantees the greatest possible equality of opportunity. In addition, theoretical instruction is also provided as part of the FFSA Academy in order to prepare the young talents for the future in the best possible way.
