In a sport long dominated by men, 11-year-old racing prodigy Atiqa Mir from Jammu & Kashmir is making headlines on the international karting circuit with her fearless performances and exceptional talent.
Now based in Dubai but with roots firmly in Jammu & Kashmir, Atiqa has surpassed expectations in her very first year competing in the highly competitive European karting circuit in the 12–14 age category. Her rapid rise through the ranks has not only put her on the global map but also brought pride to her home region.
Fast-tracked from the mini (8–12) to the OKN-J (Junior) category, Atiqa has impressed paddock insiders with her blistering speed and racecraft. She is also the first Indian driver to be backed by the Formula 1 Academy, marking a significant milestone for Indian motorsport.
Racing wheel-to-wheel against older and more experienced competitors, Atiqa often faces aggressive tactics on track. However, she refuses to be intimidated. “Sometimes they try to bully me, but I’ve learned to deal with it—and even give it back,” she says, reflecting her competitive spirit and mental toughness.
Her results speak volumes. Atiqa began the season with an impressive second-place finish in qualifying at the WSK Super Masters and followed it up with a podium finish in the European leg of the Champions of the Future Academy series in Valencia earlier this month. Competing in grids of up to 40 drivers, she consistently outperforms many of her male counterparts.
Despite her young age, Atiqa has already set her sights on the pinnacle of motorsport—Formula 1—a stage where no woman has raced since 1992. She draws inspiration from reigning world champion Max Verstappen, whose aggressive and fearless racing style resonates with her own approach on the track.
“Motorsport is a mixed-gender sport, but it’s still male-dominated. That’s one reason why we don’t see many women in Formula 1. But I believe confidence and self-belief will take me there one day,” she says.
Atiqa’s journey into motorsport has a strong J&K connection not just through her roots but also through her family. Her father, Asir Mir, is India’s first national karting champion and a former Formula Asia Vice-Champion. Yet, she insists that her passion for racing developed independently.
“I didn’t start because of my dad. I didn’t even really know about Formula One until 2021,” she recalls. It was the dramatic 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, featuring a thrilling title-deciding moment between Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen, that ignited her interest in the sport.
“I remember that overtake—it was so good, and it’s still in my mind. That’s what really motivated me,” she adds.
While the road to Formula 1 remains long and challenging, Atiqa Mir is already breaking barriers and redefining expectations. For Jammu & Kashmir, she represents a new generation of sporting talent emerging from the region—fearless, determined, and ready to take on the world.