Having made a voluntary switch from the Mini to the far more demanding Junior category, 11-year-old Indian racing prodigy Atiqa has shown skill and maturity well beyond her years with standout performances in the early part of her 2026 international karting season.
Competing in sub-zero temperatures in Europe and on tracks she had little prior experience of, the only female on a world-class WSK Super Masters grid announced herself in the paddock with a sizzling P2 in qualifying at the season opener.
In the following round at the iconic Circuit di Napoli, the F1 Academy-backed driver delivered another fine exhibition of her talent, setting the sixth-fastest time in treacherous wet conditions. In the race, she sliced through the male-dominated field of more than 45 karts, gaining as many as 16 positions.
The move from Mini, which caters to drivers aged 8 to 12, to the OKNJ Junior class for 12 to 14-year-olds is a massive step up. Yet the F1 aspirant has embraced the challenge and adapted to the heavier machinery like a duck to water.
To put the leap into perspective, OKNJ karts are 30kg heavier, increasing from 115kg in Mini trim to 145kg in Junior. They also produce nearly three times the horsepower, jumping from 10 bhp with a top speed of 105 kmph to 29 bhp capable of reaching 126 kmph.
Atiqa’s head-turning performances quickly became a talking point in the paddock, leaving her coach Felice Tiene impressed. Tiene, regarded as one of the best in the business, has mentored multiple world champions in karting.
“I started working with Atiqa this year at the first test in La Conca. Straight away she showed what she is capable of. In her first qualification, in a new category, new environment, new people, basically everything new for her, she immediately qualified P2,” said Tiene.
“Not only the result itself but also her approach and attitude towards working are something special. We are in a learning process after La Conca, Sarno and Viterbo.
“She has also been strong on tracks she does not know. She is able to understand things quickly and be fast straight away.
“She is young and has time to learn what it takes to become one of the best drivers in motorsport. I see her winning in karting and graduating to earn a place in a major Formula series,” the Italian added, in glowing praise of Atiqa, who aims to break the Formula 1 barrier for female racers.
Atiqa’s father, Asif Mir, understands the demands of top-level racing, having finished runner-up in the Formula Asia series in the early 2000s. He too has been impressed by her rapid progress.
“We took a big risk by moving Atiqa into Junior so early and straight into WSK level. We skipped the UAE and other championships. It was a big risk and we were asking a lot from her.
“If you consider the challenges she was up against, you can appreciate her performances even more. She has exceeded my expectations so far and I hope she continues this progression against all odds. It will toughen her up for the future,” said Asif.
Atiqa will next be in action at Round Three of the WSK Super Masters in Italy later this week.
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