In a defining moment for women’s motorsport, F1 Academy has announced a multi-year partnership with Gatorade, marking a significant step forward in both performance science and gender inclusion in racing. The collaboration, which will run until 2030, positions Gatorade as an Official Partner of F1 Academy and promises to bring elite hydration science to the heart of the paddock.
To celebrate the launch of this transformative alliance, Gatorade will back 16-year-old Mathilda Paatz—one of the most promising female talents in German junior motorsport—as a Wild Card entry at Round 4 of the 2025 F1 Academy season. Paatz’s debut at the 2025 Canadian GP symbolises the partnership’s ambition to spotlight and support rising female athletes on motorsport’s biggest stages.
Science meets speed as Gatorade partners with F1 Academy
The partnership begins in full from the 2026 season and aims to support the next generation of female racing drivers through world-class sports science, nutrition, and performance testing. From personalised hydration strategies to in-depth performance assessments, Gatorade will offer drivers access to the latest research via the Gatorade Sports Science Institute. Furthermore, the brand will conduct bespoke hydration research focused on the unique physiological needs of young female athletes.
From 2025, however, the impact of the collaboration will already be visible. Gatorade will celebrate its entry into the world of women’s motorsport by backing Mathilda Paatz with a bespoke livery and race suit—making her the face of this new chapter in the series.
The ‘Speed Girl’ takes centre stage
At just 16 years old, Mathilda Paatz is already establishing herself as a formidable presence on the track. Known as the ‘speed girl’ from Cologne, she has seamlessly transitioned from karting prodigy to a promising competitor in the world of single-seaters. Her journey began at the age of four, when she first shared a double kart with her father, Michael Paatz—a former driver and team boss in the Nürburgring endurance championship.
Since then, her determination and natural ability have carved a path through karting and Formula 4 series across Europe. In 2020, she achieved a commanding double victory in the ADAC Kart Masters and later claimed the championship title in the West German ADAC Kart Cup. After proving her capabilities in the OK Junior category, she joined Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso’s junior team and later competed in the French Formula 4 series with the ADAC Formula Junior Team.
In 2025, she continued her rise with a win in the Ladies Trophy during the Formula Winter Series finale in Barcelona. Currently racing in the Central European Formula 4 Championship, Mathilda is making bold strides towards her dream of reaching the pinnacle of motorsport.
Paatz proud to partner with Gatorade for “dream come true” F1 Academy debut
Now, with a bespoke Gatorade livery and race suit, she prepares for her F1 Academy debut at one of Formula 1’s most iconic circuits, piloting the #8 car operated by Hitech TGR.
Speaking on the opportunity to feature as the 2025 F1 Academy season’s fourth Wild Card entry, Paatz said: “I’m beyond excited to be the Wild Card driver at Round 4 of F1 ACADEMY at the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend, driving the Gatorade car. Growing up, I was captivated by the theatre of racing – the energy, the passion, and how drivers carried the pride of their teams.”
“To now be racing on a Formula 1 weekend, with fans around the world watching, is a dream come true. I’m especially proud to partner with Gatorade, a brand that’s championed athletes at every level and is helping pave the way for the next generation of women in motorsport.”
Strategic investment in the future
According to Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy, Gatorade’s approach extends far beyond conventional sponsorship.
“We’re proud to welcome Gatorade to the F1 Academy family. What has impressed me most about Gatorade is how seriously they are investing in our drivers, not just as athletes, but as individuals with incredible potential,” said Wolff. “This isn’t a surface-level sponsorship, it’s a deeply hands-on partnership that brings world-class hydration science and performance expertise directly to our paddock. With the world-class expertise of Gatorade, not only will our drivers be better equipped to perform at their peak, but they will also gain knowledge and tools that will serve them throughout their careers.”
This commitment aligns with Gatorade’s broader Fuel Tomorrow initiative, which aims to provide 2.5 million teens with access to sport by 2030. The programme reflects a long-term dedication to breaking down barriers and driving inclusion.
High performance backed by expertise
Umi Patel, PepsiCo’s Vice President of Marketing Innovation and Hydration Brands, highlighted the vital role hydration science plays in elite motorsport.
“Partnering with F1 ACADEMY is a powerful moment for Gatorade. Motorsport is one of the most physically demanding sports on the planet, where optimum hydration can be the difference between winning and losing. This partnership allows us to bring our decades of sports science expertise directly to the next generation of female drivers.”
“By supporting young women at the start of their motorsport journey, we’re not just setting them up for success at such a pivotal part of their career, we are encouraging them to see what is in them and fuel their drive and ambition for success. That’s what our Fuel Tomorrow initiative is all about.”
Furthermore, Jane Wakely, Chief Consumer and Marketing Officer at PepsiCo, spoke to the significance of this partnership within a global strategy.
“At PepsiCo, we believe in the power of platforms and partnerships to shape the future of sport – and to do so with purpose. This partnership with F1 ACADEMY and our wider worldwide partnership with F1, one of the world’s fastest growing sports, is a bold step forward in our mission to fuel fandom, create culture-driving moments and incredible brand experiences on a global scale,” said Wakely.
Visibility and momentum
The announcement arrives during a time of unprecedented growth for F1 Academy. With the global release of the Netflix documentary F1: THE ACADEMY and expanded broadcasting across more than 170 territories, the platform is drawing increasing attention to the next wave of female motorsport talent.
Against this backdrop, Mathilda Paatz’s debut is especially meaningful. Her presence in the F1 Academy grid, backed by Gatorade, symbolises the beginning of a new chapter—where science, opportunity, and talent converge to redefine the boundaries of motorsport.
