In a sport long dominated by names from Europe and the Americas, a 10-year-old girl from India is making headlines across the global motorsport community. Atiqa Mir, a rising sensation in karting, is rewriting the rules — one lap at a time.
At just ten, Atiqa has already accomplished what few from her country have — a top-ten finish at the Rotax Euro Trophy, one of the most elite and competitive karting championships in the world. Competing against the best young drivers on the planet, Atiqa crossed the finish line ninth in the final race of Round 2 at the Steel Ring Circuit in Trinec, Czech Republic, making her the highest-ranked Indian and Asian driver in the series’ history.
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Racing at the Steel Ring Circuit in Trinec, Mir faced formidable challenges, including wet track conditions caused by heavy rainfall during the pre-finals. Despite having no previous experience racing in such conditions, the young speedster delivered a display of exceptional composure and skill, holding her own against seasoned global competitors.
Mir’s journey to the finals was not without obstacles. After qualifying seventh in her group, she was handed two bumper penalties, which pushed her back in the rankings heading into the pre-finals. Nevertheless, she bounced back with characteristic resilience, finishing tenth in the pre-finals before climbing to ninth in the main race — securing a top-ten finish that is both rare and remarkable for an Indian driver at this level.
Atiqa is backed technically and financially by Akcel GP, with guidance from none other than Narain Karthikeyan, India’s first Formula One driver. Under his mentorship, she has rapidly developed into one of the most promising young talents in the international karting scene.
The Rotax Euro Trophy is not just any karting event — it’s a launchpad for future Formula One stars. Racing legends such as Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, George Russell, and Oscar Piastri all cut their teeth in the Rotax series. With her latest result, Atiqa Mir is now being seen in the same light — a young driver with the potential to ascend the motorsport ladder all the way to Formula One.
