Franciacorta: Indian karting prodigy Atiqa Mir delivered an impressive performance in the WSK Super Master Series, finishing eighth in a highly competitive final and emerging as the top-ranked female driver.
The 11-year-old capped off her campaign in style, competing against a field of 53 drivers in Round 5 and underlining her rapid rise in international motorsport.
Strong transition to junior category
Atiqa made a bold move at the start of 2026 by stepping up from the mini category (8–12 years) to the more competitive junior category (12–14 years).
Despite being one of the youngest drivers in the OK-NJ class, she showcased exceptional pace and maturity throughout the five-round championship. Her performances included:
- One podium finish
- Two fastest laps
- Eight top-six finishes
- A P2 result in qualifying
She also became the first Indian to receive backing from the Formula 1 Academy, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Consistency despite setbacks
The Jammu and Kashmir racer showed consistency across race weekends, though incidents at key moments cost her potential podium finishes.
In the final round, she clocked the seventh-fastest time in qualifying, just a tenth of a second off third place, highlighting the tight competition.
Her heat race results—P5, P4, and P5—demonstrated her ability to compete with some of the best young drivers globally.
Fighting drive in the final
Atiqa entered the pre-final in a strong position, starting third and quickly moving up to second before being pushed off the track, which denied her a front-row start.
Starting 13th in the final, she produced a remarkable recovery drive, climbing through the field to reach P7 at one stage before finishing eighth.
The performance reinforced her growing reputation as one of the most promising young talents in karting.
Rapid growth on European circuit
Having made her OK-NJ debut earlier this year, Atiqa has adapted quickly to European racing conditions.
At the La Conca round, she impressed by out-qualifying drivers such as Nicolo Perico, part of the Mercedes junior programme.
Her performance at Franciacorta marked her most complete weekend, with consistent top-five finishes in the heats and strong race pace throughout.
Atiqa reflects on her campaign
Reflecting on her journey, Atiqa expressed satisfaction with her progress and learning experience.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to compete in such a prestigious series. Racing at this level over the past eight weeks has helped me adapt quickly and improve as a driver,” she said.
Despite setbacks in the final round, she described it as her best weekend in the series and thanked her sponsors for their support.
Conclusion
Atiqa Mir’s WSK Super Masters campaign signals the arrival of a new Indian talent on the global karting stage. With strong performances, rapid adaptation, and growing confidence, she looks well on track to climb even higher in the world of motorsport.