Eleven-year-old Atiqa Mir is making waves in the motorsport world, fueled by a dream to break barriers and become the first woman to race in Formula 1 since 1992. The young karting prodigy from Jammu and Kashmir understands the magnitude of the challenge ahead, but she is determined to make her mark on the sport.

Atiqa's journey began at a young age, inspired by her father, Asif Nazir Mir, a former Formula Asia driver and India's first National Karting Champion. Instead of dolls, Atiqa collected cars and racetracks, showcasing an early passion for racing. What started as a childhood fascination quickly turned into a promising career as Atiqa's talent and speed became evident.

Living in Dubai, Atiqa has already achieved significant milestones. At just six years old, she began competitive karting in the UAE. In the 2022-23 season, she secured the vice-champion title in the UAE IAME National Karting Championship in the Mini R category. Her success continued internationally, as she became the first Indian female driver to qualify for the finals of the Rotax Euro Trophy in South Garda, Italy, in 2024. Later that year, she made history by winning a race in the Micro Max category at the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy in Le Mans, France, becoming the first female racer to achieve this feat in the series.

In early 2025, Atiqa's career reached new heights when she was selected for the Formula 1 Academy's "Discover Your Drive" program. This program aims to develop young female talent in motorsport, providing Atiqa with technical and financial support. She is one of only three drivers in the mini category (ages 8-11) worldwide to be chosen for this program, making her the first Indian and Asian racer to earn this distinction. The F1 Academy, led by former F1 test driver Susie Wolff, was created to identify, develop, and promote young female racing talent around the world.

Atiqa joined the Babyrace Driver Academy in Italy in January 2025 to compete in the WSK Karting Series, further demonstrating her commitment to the sport. She was also the only Asian driver selected for the Iron Dames Young Talent program in 2024.

Despite her young age, Atiqa faces challenges in the male-dominated world of motorsports. She admits to experiencing bullying on the track for being a girl but remains undeterred. Atiqa is focused on her goals: Formula 4 in the coming years and Formula 1 within a decade. She finds inspiration in reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen and her father.