Atiqa Mir: 11-Year-Old Indian Karter Takes on European Circuit

Atiqa Mir, age 11, is competing in European kart racing, a sport where males dominate. According to a release, Mir has exceeded expectations in her first year racing in Europe in the 12-14 age category. She was fast-tracked into the Junior category for ages 12 to 14, moving up from the 8-12 age group. Her speed has garnered attention in the paddock. Mir comes from a racing family and was inspired to pursue racing after watching the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Her goal is to reach Formula 1, inspired by Max Verstappen, while overcoming gender barriers in motorsport. She is the first Indian racer to receive backing from the Formula 1 Academy.