Podium Dreams Ahead
Srinagar
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised 11-year-old Atiqa Mir, the union territory’s first Formula 1 prodigy, after she secured fourth place at the European Karting Championship in Slovakia. He wished her success, hoping she would one day reach the top podium in Formula 1 racing.
Atiqa, born in Srinagar and now based in Dubai, has quickly become a symbol of hope for young racers. She is the first Indian and Asian girl chosen for the Formula 1 Academy’s “Discover Your Drive” programme, designed to promote female talent in motorsport. Supported by F1, she has already set records, becoming the best-performing Indian and female driver in a European karting event.
Her passion began at age six in the UAE, where she raced competitively. In the 2022–23 season, she finished as vice-champion in the UAE IAME National Karting Championship. In 2024, she became the first Indian female driver to qualify for the finals of the Rotax Euro Trophy in Italy. That same year, she won in France’s Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy, marking the first victory by a female racer in that series.
In 2025, Atiqa joined the Babyrace Driver Academy in Italy to compete in the WSK Karting Series. She also earned a spot in the Iron Dames Young Talent programme, becoming its only Asian participant. Later, she signed with UAE-based AKCEL GP, a team linked to the F1 Academy.
Inspired by her father, former Formula Asia driver Asif Nazir Mir, Atiqa continues to train and compete internationally. Her journey reflects determination and a growing legacy for Indian motorsport.
