Atiqa Mir shines on WSK debut, scripts history for India

Eleven-year-old racing prodigy Atiqa Mir created history on her debut in the prestigious WSK Super Master Karting Series by becoming the first Indian to secure second place in qualifying in a highly competitive, male-dominated field.

Competing in the OKNJ class for the first time, Atiqa delivered a stunning performance against 37 seasoned drivers, setting the second fastest lap time and missing out on pole position by just one-tenth of a second.

The young racer, supported by the Formula 1 Academy, recently moved up from the mini category (ages 8–11) to the junior category (ages 12–14) in 2026, making her achievement even more remarkable.

Despite being one of the youngest drivers on the grid, Atiqa showed exceptional composure and speed on the demanding La Conca circuit, adapting quickly to the higher-powered kart and the intense competition.

Her performance has drawn praise from coaches and motorsport observers, who see her as one of India’s most promising talents on the international karting stage.

The WSK Super Master Series is considered one of the toughest junior karting championships in the world, and Atiqa’s breakthrough qualifying result marks a significant milestone for Indian motorsport on the global platform.