Young Racing Star Atiqa Mir Shines Despite Challenges in Karting Championship

Atiqa Mir's Remarkable Performance

At just 11 years old, Atiqa Mir, a racing sensation from India, showcased her extraordinary skills by outpacing two Mercedes F1 junior drivers to secure pole position in the Champions of the Future Academy Program Round 3.

Competing on the technical Leopard Circuit without prior testing, Atiqa, who is the first Indian supported by the Formula 1 Academy, demonstrated impressive speed during the karting series qualifying, as reported in a press release.

She surpassed renowned Mercedes F1 Junior drivers, including Italy's Niccolo Perico and Germany's Devin Titz, not only clinching pole position but also setting a new event record, earning admiration from everyone in the paddock.

Challenges During the Races

Atiqa's outstanding qualifying performance followed her victory in Round 2 of the COTFA series held in Greece last month.

After achieving pole position, she finished P2 and P3 in the Heats after fierce competitions. In the final race, starting from P2, she overtook Niccolo to take the lead. Unfortunately, an engine misfire hindered her ability to maintain the lead, causing her to drop positions before ultimately finishing in P6.

Although the results may not reflect her remarkable speed, her bold move for the lead on Lap 1 against Niccolo highlighted her talent.

Engine Troubles and Recovery

On the second day of the event, Atiqa faced engine issues, resulting in a 27th place qualification. Although the organizers quickly replaced her engine, the damage was already done. She fought back valiantly, moving through the field in every heat to start the final race from 18th on the grid.

In the Final, she impressively passed nine karts within just one and a half laps before being forced out of the race due to a collision with another driver, who was subsequently penalized.

Atiqa's Reflections on the Weekend

Reflecting on her eventful weekend, Atiqa expressed, "It was a bittersweet experience for me, but I managed to demonstrate my speed against some of the best in the world. I feel confident in the kart every time I am on the track, but unfortunately, the engine and equipment let me down this time."

"It could have easily been a couple more podium finishes, but it wasn't meant to be. Motorsports can be tough at times. I am pleased with my performance and couldn't have done more," she added.

Atiqa's father, Asif Mir, India's first national karting champion, praised her efforts, stating, "Atiqa had an exceptional weekend and set the event record at Viterbo. The results do not reflect her true performance. The DNF in the final was disappointing, but she is resilient and will bounce back quickly."

Atiqa is set to compete in Sweden later this month.