Atiqa Mir
| Atiqa Mir | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Born | Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Championships | Vice-Champion, UAE IAME National Championship (2023, Mini R) |
| Wins | 1 (RMCIT Le Mans 2024) |
Atiqa Mir (born 2014) is an Indian kart racing driver from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. She is known for being the first Indian and Asian female racer selected for the Formula 1 Academy’s "Discover Your Drive" development programme.[1][2]
Early life
[edit]Mir was born in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, and moved to Dubai at an early age. She began racing electric karts recreationally before transitioning to professional karting.[3] Her father, Asif Nazir Mir, is a former national karting champion in India and has supported her racing career.[4]
Career
[edit]Karting in the UAE
[edit]Mir began competitive karting in the UAE at age six. In the 2022–23 season, she was vice-champion in the UAE IAME National Karting Championship in the Mini R category.[3]
In February 2025, she secured a podium finish at the IAME Summer Cup held at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.[5]
International races
[edit]Mir became the first Indian female driver to qualify for the finals of the Rotax Euro Trophy in South Garda, Italy in 2024.[6]
Later that year, she won a race in the Micro Max category at the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy (RMCIT) held in Le Mans, France, becoming the first female racer to win a race in the series.[7]
In January 2025, she joined the Babyrace Driver Academy in Italy to compete in the WSK Karting Series.[8][9]
She also became the only Asian driver selected for the Iron Dames Young Talent programme in 2024.[10]
F1 Academy development programme
[edit]In 2025, Mir was selected for the Formula 1 Academy's "Discover Your Drive" programme, which aims to develop young female talent in motorsport. She was the only Asian and one of the youngest selected.[1]
Shortly after, she was signed by AKCEL GP, a UAE-based karting team affiliated with the F1 Academy.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "In A First For India, F1 Academy Picks 10-Year-Old Racer Atiqa Mir For Its Driver Program". NDTV. 4 June 2025.
- ^ Dinakaran, Vaishali (23 May 2025). "A 10-year-old Indian girl aims to become a top race driver". DW. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ a b "UAE: How this 9-year-old girl from Kashmir became a karting prodigy". Khaleej Times. 4 July 2024.
- ^ "Meet Atiqa Mir, India's female racing prodigy living life in the fast lane at 10 years old". ABC News. 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Kashmir's Atiqa Mir Shines At Yas Marina F1 Circuit". Greater Kashmir. 3 February 2025.
- ^ "Atiqa Mir – The First Indian Female Racer to Qualify for Rotax Euro Trophy Final". GoMotoring. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ "Atiqa Mir Becomes First Female Racer To Win Race At Max Challenge International Trophy". Kashmir Observer. 27 July 2024.
- ^ "India's Atiqa Mir Signs With Babyrace For WSK 2025 Season". India Today NE. 21 January 2025.
- ^ "10-year-old Atiqa Mir set to become first Indian female to race in World Series Karting". The Hindu. 23 January 2025. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "Atiqa Mir, 9, Kashmir-Born, Becomes Only Asian Karter Shortlisted For Iron Dames Young Talents Initiative". Kashmir Monitor. 25 September 2024.
- ^ "Atiqa Mir joins AKCEL GP as youngest racer". India Today. 5 June 2025.