The global motorsports community is buzzing about Atiqa Mir, a 10-year-old karting prodigy from India who is breaking gender and national barriers and setting her sights on becoming the first girl in modern history to compete in Formula 1.
The young racer, who has already been hailed as the fastest female karter in the world in the Under-10 category, recently secured a historic selection into one of the sport’s most prestigious elite development programs.
Atiqa’s immense talent received powerful recognition when she was selected as one of the few girls globally—and the only Indian and Asian racer ever—for the highly competitive Mini Class racing initiatives in Europe.
This follows her groundbreaking achievement of being signed by the F1 Academy’s “Discover Your Drive” program, a major developmental initiative backed directly by Formula 1 to fast-track young female talent.
- Breaking Barriers: Atiqa’s entry into the World Series Karting (WSK) Mini Class makes her the first Indian female to compete in the “Formula 1 of Karting” and often the only girl on the grid of over 60 karts.
- International Triumphs: Based in Dubai, Atiqa has already dominated the regional circuit, becoming the first female to win a race in the Minimax category at the UAE’s DAMC Championship. Internationally, she holds the record as the first Indian girl to win an FIA-approved international karting race, and the first female to win at the Rotax Challenge International Trophy in Le Mans, France.
- Mentor Support: Her journey is fiercely supported by her father, former National Karting Champion Asif Nazir Mir, and is actively mentored by Narain Karthikeyan, India’s first-ever Formula 1 driver, who champions her as “one of the brightest stars for the future of Indian Motorsport.”
Atiqa’s rapid ascent from go-karts to the highest level of junior competition marks a pivotal moment, inspiring countless young girls across India and Asia to challenge the taboos of a male-dominated sport and pursue their own dreams of speed and glory. Her consistent top-tier performance on the European circuit puts her squarely on the trajectory for single-seater racing and a shot at the pinnacle of motorsports.
