KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
If in a decade from now, if you hear the name of Atiqa Mir in the top annals of motorsport, even Formula 1, then remember where the 10-year-old Indian girl is building the roots for her career. The UAE. For now, the prodigy has surfaced to the top of her age group in karting, the starting step to a career on race tracks, where she will compete in the World Series Karting (WSK) Championships.
Babyrace, the 29-time champion team from Italy, have signed up the Dubai-based girl with pedigree for the full season of WSK, considered the Formula 1 in the format of motorsport. In the process, she will also be the first Indian female to drive in the WSK and the only female in the Mini class among a grid of 60 drivers. Formula 1 drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel have started their careers in WSK.
"I'm super thrilled to get this opportunity to drive within WSK with Babyrace," said Atiqa in a statement. "This will be the highest level of karting I have ever driven in. I will have to learn a lot of circuits and driving in the winter will be a challenge but I'm up for it. I will be one of the youngest drivers in Mini 60 Gr3 category.
"I am grateful to Babyrace, my parents, supporters and sponsors for making this happen. I do my endurance training at the Dubai Canal and train in the Wasl Gym near my house. My school is also very encouraging of my racing career," she said.
Atiqa earned her spot with a stellar test session at Italy's famed La Conca circuit. She will now compete in the WSK Super Master Series, WSK Euro Series, and the WSK Final Cup. The pupil of Dubai's GEMS Jumeirah Primary School has some pedigree in her roots as well. She is the daughter of Asif Nazir, India's first national karting champion and Formula Asia runner-up in 2001.
She is the first and only female in the world to win a race at RMC International Trophy in Le Mans, France and the first and only Indian Female to finish second runner-up at Champions of the Future Academy Programme. She is also the first and only female to be crowned Vice Champion in the UAE IAME National Championship 2024. She has secured record pole positions for a female in the world in her category.
She got a vote of appreciation from her father's contemporary and India's first F1 driver, Narain Karthikeyan, on social media. "Atiqa is proving herself as one of the brightest stars for the future in motorsport. Her pace and performances in the Middle East Championships have been exceptional, and she has carried that performance onto her racing in Europe, [at the RMC International Trophy] last year.
"She is ranked as the 1 female Karter in the world in her age group which is an incredible achievement, and will compete in World Series Karting in 2025, which is the Formula 1 of the karting world. I would urge everyone in motorsport to give her the best opportunities and support possible so that she can fulfil her promise," said Karthikeyan, who has also competed in the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Speaking on the occasion, Babyrace team manager Leonardo Lorandi said: "We are excited to sign Atiqa for the 2025 season. She caught our eye due to her impressive performances in 2024 including her win in Le Mans and we offered her a test with us. During the test, she performed very well and we offered her a drive with our team. She has a lot of natural talent and together we will work on getting the best out of her."
Atiqa will definitely gain from the experience of her father as well as his friends like Karthikeyan as mentors off the track. "Atiqa has managed to move up to the highest level of karting through her hard work and dedication," said Nazir in her words of encouragement while trying also to temper down expectations a bit.
"It will be tough for her racing against this quality of field. She has to learn new tracks, new conditions and adapt herself to this new environment. It will be challenging and a learning year for her," he said.