In a historic achievement for Indian motorsport, 11-year-old Atiqa Mir from Srinagar has become the first Indian and Asian female racer to be selected for the prestigious Formula 1 Academy.
Speaking about her journey into racing, Atiqa credited her father, a former Formula Asia driver, for inspiring her passion for motorsport.
“I started out karting because of my dad, who was a former Formula Asia driver. He was the vice champion in that and India’s first national karting champion in the early 2000s. He inspired me. He was also doing some local races at a local track in Dubai, so I saw a little bit of that as well. Then I wanted to drive myself because I liked toy cars from a young age,” Atiqa said.Atiqa’s selection marks a significant milestone not only for Jammu and Kashmir but also for Indian women in motorsport. The young racer has been making waves in international karting circuits and is regarded as one of the most promising talents emerging from India.
The Formula 1 Academy is a global initiative aimed at identifying and developing talented female drivers, providing them with training, exposure, and opportunities to progress through the ranks of professional motorsport.
Her achievement has drawn widespread appreciation from sports enthusiasts, motorsport experts, and people across Jammu and Kashmir, who see her success as an inspiration for young girls aspiring to enter competitive racing.
With determination, family support, and a growing list of accomplishments at a very young age, Atiqa Mir is rapidly emerging as a trailblazer for Indian motorsport on the global stage.
