Meet Atiqa Mir, 10YO Racer Becomes First Indian In Top 10 At Rotax Euro Trophy

At only 10 years old, Atiqa Mir from Kashmir has already broken records and made motorsport history. She recently became the first-ever Indian driver to secure a Top 10 finish in the Rotax Euro Trophy, a major international karting series. She finished ninth in the Rotax Euro Trophy Round 2 staged at Steel Ring Circuit. Atiqa, who is also the first Asian racer to gain a spot in the Formula 1 academy, finished strong, seventh in her group. 

Speaking to NDTV, she said, "I learnt so much driving with the best drivers in the world. I had a very good pace in the dry, and my progress in the wet was good. The team and my mechanic, Adam, did a really good job this week, and I'm thankful to them, my parents and all the people back home.”

The Rotax Euro Trophy (often called RMCET) is a major international karting championship for drivers who race using Rotax MAX engines, which are some of the most popular kart engines. Some other acclaimed drivers who have competed in the series include Max Verstappen, George Russell, Lando Norris, and current champion Oscar Piastri.

Who Is Atiqa Mir?

Racing prodigy Atiqa Mir has already established herself in the motorsport world with countless achievements up her sleeve. She is the brilliant progeny of the Indian racing legend Asif Nazir Mir, who became India’s first National Karting Champion in 2000. He also raced in Formula Asia with 6 wins, and 8 Pole Positions, also driving in the Barber Dodge Pro Series in the USA.

Atiqa first raced at the age of 6 and began to make history and win accolades as soon as her career began. According to the Jumeirah Primary School website, she is the first Indian female driver to drive professionally at the age of 6 years old in an International Karting Championship. She is also the youngest and the only female UAE Licensed driver in the UAE IAME x30 and Rotax Cship 2022-23 in the Mini category.

Atiqa has several other achievements, including being the first Indian female driver to win an FIA International Karting Championship at the age of 6 years, and also to break a Lap Record in Dubai. In addition to this, she is also the first Indian female driver to finish in second place overall at a karting championship internationally. She is mentored by pioneering Indian F1 racer Narain Karthikeyan.

9YO driver makes history for women's motorsports

In 2024, Atiqa became the first female racer ever to secure a karting title at the prestigious Le Mans Kart International circuit, namely the Rotax Challenge International Trophy. This achievement put her into the elite racing leagues alongside drivers like Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and George Russell. 

Having so many record-breaking accomplishments at such a young age definitely points to an impressive future, especially now that Atiqa is officially a part of the big leagues. Following in the footsteps of F1 champion Max Verstappen, whom she also idolises, Mir's win at the prestigious Le Mans circuit has put her on the list of elite drivers.

She raced in the Lando Norris kart for the Dan Holland Racing (DHR) team to go on to win the Rotax Challenge International Trophy, becoming the first female to do so. In Atiqa's Micromax category, 36 drivers competed, with a total of 318 drivers representing 40 countries participating across all categories.