VALENCIA, May 11,2026 : Young Indian racing sensation Atiqa Mir delivered an outstanding performance on her FIA European Championship debut, securing an impressive P6 finish and recording the fastest lap during the prestigious karting event in Valencia.
The 11-year-old prodigy, who has roots in Jammu & Kashmir, entered round two of the championship as a wildcard entry after being recognised for her exceptional talent. Competing against 92 experienced international drivers in the highly competitive OKJ category, Atiqa proved her potential on one of the biggest stages in world karting.
Already making headlines as India’s first Formula 1 Academy-backed driver and the highest-ranked female racer in the OKNJ category, Atiqa faced a fresh challenge with more powerful machinery and unfamiliar Maxxis tyres. Despite the pressure, she displayed remarkable composure and pace throughout the weekend.
Starting from P15 in a packed qualifying field, Atiqa fought her way into the FIA Super Heats, showcasing fearless racing and impressive consistency. Her standout moment came in Race 2, where she secured a brilliant sixth-place finish, while also clocking the coveted Fastest Lap in Race 5.
Though the weekend included a few crashes and penalties, Atiqa’s debut performance drew praise from across the paddock as she confidently competed in a higher age category against some of the world’s best young karting talents.
Speaking after the event, Atiqa described the experience as a dream come true.
“It’s really special driving in an FIA series. My pace was strong throughout the weekend and I learnt a lot racing against these drivers. It was an amazing experience,” she said.
Her father, former racer Asif Mir, also lauded her effort, saying the youngster adapted brilliantly to new conditions, a different team setup, and increased competition.
Atiqa is now set to continue her international campaign in Greece later this month for round two of the COTFA International series, as she continues her pursuit of becoming the first female Formula 1 driver since 1992.
