Photography: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images for Red Bull Air Race
location Rio de Janeiro, BRA year 2010 Matthias Dolderer
“I’ve spent my whole life in hangars, on airfields and in cockpits,” says German pilot Matthias Dolderer. Having first sat in the cockpit at the age of three, there’s never been a time when his life hasn’t revolved around flying. However, it wasn’t until 2008 that Dolderer made his breakthrough. After intense training, he won the German Aerobatic Championships and achieved top standings at the World Aerobatic Championships. In 2009, his dream came true. “The Red Bull Air Race has everything I love about flying and motorsport: speed, precision and the fight against the clock,” he says. Dolderer impressed the title contenders when he claimed a third place finish during his first year and ended up taking ninth place overall. In 2014 he hopes to be a regular on the podium.