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Atiqa Mir, backed by Formula 1 Academy, stuns European karting with podiums in WSK and Valencia as she chases a Formula 1 dream inspired by Max Verstappen.
India’s young motor sports star Atiqa Mir (PTI)
India’s 11-year-old Formula 1 hopeful, Atiqa Mirhas exceeded expectations in her first year of karting in the 12-14 age category on the highly competitive European circuit, according to a release.
Racing remains a male-dominated sport, and boys older than Atiqa often try to “bully” her on track. But with her exceptional talent and ability, the first Indian to be backed by the Formula 1 Academy does not hesitate to “bully” them back in wheel-to-wheel battles.
Fast-tracked into the OKN-J (Junior) category (age 12-14) from the mini class (8-12) because of her special talent, Atiqa has drawn significant attention in the paddock with her blistering speed.
Not only is she the best-performing Indian karter on the global stage, she is also leaving most of the male field behind in a crowded grid of up to 40 karts.
She began the season with a scorching P2 in qualifying at the WSK Super Masters, before securing a podium finish (classified third) in the European leg of the Champions of the Future Academy series in Valencia earlier this month.
Target F1
While she continues to collect laurels in karting, her ultimate goal is to reach the pinnacle of motorsport — Formula One — where no woman has raced since 1992.
The Dubai-based racer from Jammu and Kashmir idolises four-time world champion Max Verstappen, and that may be the source of her fiery approach on track.
“Motorsport being a mixed-gender sport and being male-dominated, that’s why many females are not in Formula 1 but belief and confidence will take me there one day,” said Atiqa, who is currently racing in Italy.
The on-track bullying from boys no longer bothers her. For Atiqa, gender has never been an issue in racing, and her focus remains firmly on improving as a driver every time she gets an opportunity in her blossoming career.
“Well, sometimes they (boys) turn on me. Sometimes they brake check me, which is normal for everyone, I guess nowadays, because there’s no penalty in karting for a brake check. But sometimes they also hit me, but I think I learned how to deal with it over time,” she said, referring to her intense on-track battles.
Atiqa comes from a racing family. Her father, Asir Mir, is India’s first national karting champion and a former Formula Asia Vice-Champion.
Asir never pushed her into motorsport. Atiqa got hooked on the thrill of racing after watching the epic title showdown between Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen in the 2021 Formula 1 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
“I did not start because of my dad. And like, there was no such thing as like, having a dream to race in Formula One,” she recalled.
“I did not really know about Formula One and stuff until like 2021. And I think the first race I actually watched on TV was the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021. And I remember seeing that overtake (from Verstappen). And it was so good. And it’s still in my mind. So I really get motivated by that,” she said.
Atiqa has a long way to go before she can realise her Formula 1 dream, but for now, she is conquering this male bastion, series by series.
(With inputs from Agencies)
March 22, 2026, 6:05 PM IST
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