ABU DHABI, November 11, 2025 : In a landmark moment for Indian motorsport, 10-year-old racing prodigy Atiqa Mir from Jammu and Kashmir secured a historic pole position and podium finish in the opening round of the Formula 1 Academy-backed Champions of the Future Academy (COTFA) UAE karting series.
Atiqa became the first Indian to receive support from Formula 1 Academy and the first-ever female in the world to take pole position in the COTFA Mini class — a stunning achievement that underscores her rapid rise in international motorsport.
The young racer displayed extraordinary composure under pressure, claiming pole position in qualifying before winning a Heat race and finishing third in the final, rounding off a stellar weekend against some of the best young drivers in the region.
“It was a great weekend for me speed-wise. I got pole in qualifying and wanted the win in the final but came away with 3rd. I’ll learn from this weekend and try to improve,” said Atiqa, reflecting on her breakthrough performance.
Atiqa’s form follows an impressive run through October, where she secured multiple podiums and a race win at the Rotax Max Challenge (RMC) Championship.
Her father and mentor, Asif Mir — India’s first National Karting Champion — called it a “bittersweet weekend.”
“I thought we had the pace and track position to win. A bit disappointed, but also mindful that if we’re disappointed with 3rd in such a big race, we must be doing something right. Atiqa raced hard all weekend,” he said.
The COTFA series, backed by Formula 1 Academy, provides a level playing field with identical equipment and engines, focusing purely on driver skill — a platform where Atiqa’s raw talent continues to shine.
With her pole and podium, Atiqa Mir has not only rewritten history but also inspired a new generation of young Indian racers, especially girls, to dream beyond limits.
