Racing Prodigy Atiqa Mir Makes Heads Turn in Slovakia, Narrowly Misses Podium

India's 10-year-old karting prodigy Atiqa Mir delivered a standout performance at the Champions of the Future Academy (COFTA) series, finishing fourth in Round 4.1 at the Slovakia Karting Centre and narrowly missing a podium spot. Competing in the highly competitive Mini category against a predominantly male international field, Atiqa showcased exceptional racecraft, leading for much of the action-packed event before settling just 0.32 seconds behind the winner. This marked the highest finish by an Indian driver in the championship's history and the best result by a female competitor this season.

Atiqa, the first Indian supported by Formula 1 through its F1 Academy DYD (Diversity, Youth, Development) programme, entered the weekend on a high after claiming victory in Dubai's DAMC series earlier this month. Her Slovakia debut highlighted her rapid progress, as she battled top European talents in a series closely monitored by F1 Academy scouts for emerging prospects. The COFTA, known for its rigorous format that mirrors professional racing pathways, has become a key proving ground for young drivers aspiring to higher echelons like Formula 4 and beyond.

The weekend's second race proved more challenging for the AKCEL GP driver. Holding a solid third position until lap seven, Atiqa was forced off-track after a rear-end collision from a rival, dropping her to 11th at the finish. Despite the setback, her overall display underscored resilience and skill against less experienced peers on the grid. "I was so close to the win and the podium but happy at the same time with my progress and performance against this top European grid," Atiqa reflected. "It’s nice to see all the hard work and training paying off."

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Hailing from a racing lineage, Atiqa is guided by her father, Asif Nazir Mir, a former Formula Asia Vice Champion who accompanies her on global circuits. "It was an incredible drive by Atiqa against this quality of drivers," Asif said. "Her hard work is beginning to pay off now. She, along with her team of coaches, trainers, and mechanics, worked incredibly hard to achieve this result. Atiqa is probably the least experienced on the grid and yet is able to give such performances." This follows her historic 2024 podium in the Mini Under-10 category at COFTA's Abu Dhabi round, the first for an Indian in the series.

As Atiqa eyes future rounds, her Slovakia exploits reinforce India's growing footprint in international motorsport. With F1 backing and family support, the young sensation is poised to inspire a new generation, potentially accelerating her trajectory toward professional circuits amid karting's role as a foundational stepping stone in the sport.

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