Sarno (Italy), February 16 Atiqa, an 11-year-old Indian racing prodigy, has shown remarkable skill and maturity beyond her years, producing standout performances in the early part of her 2026 international karting season, after voluntarily switching from a mini category to a much more demanding junior category.
Competing in sub-zero temperatures in Europe and on tracks she has little experience of, Atiqa, the only female in a world-class WSK Super Masters grid, made a strong impression in the paddock with a sizzling second-place finish in the qualifying round of the season opener.
In the subsequent round at the iconic Circuit di Napoli, the F1 Academy-backed driver demonstrated her rare talent once again by setting the sixth fastest time in the challenging wet conditions. In the race, she navigated through the predominantly male field of over 45 karts, gaining as many as 16 positions.
Moving from the mini (age 8-12) to the OKNJ junior class (12-14) is a significant step up, but the aspiring F1 driver has embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and has quickly adapted to the heavier karts.
For perspective, the OKNJ karts weigh 30kg more (115kg in mini to 145kg in junior) and have three times the horsepower (10 bhp with a top speed of 105 kmph to 29bhp with a top speed of 126 kmph).
Atiqa's impressive performances were widely discussed in the paddock, leaving her coach, Felice Tiene, impressed. Tiene is one of the best in the business and has coached multiple world champions in the karting arena.
"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 qualified second," said Tiene.
"Not only the result itself, but also her approach and her attitude towards working are something special and great. We are in a learning process, after La Conca, Sarno, and Viterbo.
"She has also been doing great on tracks she doesn't know, and she is able to pick things up quickly and be fast.
"She is young, and she has time to learn what it takes to be one of the best drivers in motorsport! I see her winning in karting and graduating to have a place in some big Formula 1 series in motorsport," said the Italian, praising Atiqa, who aims to break the Formula 1 barrier for a female racer.
Atiqa's father, Asif Mir, who finished second in the Formula Asia series in the early 2000s, also recognizes the qualities needed to be a successful racer. He has also been impressed by Atiqa's performances so early in the season.
"We took a big risk by putting Atiqa in the Junior category and straight to the WSK level. We skipped UAE and other championships, and this was a big risk and asking a lot from Atiqa.
"If you consider the challenges she was up against, one can then appreciate her performances. Atiqa certainly exceeded my expectations so far, and I hope she continues to progress against all odds. It will surely toughen her up for the future," said Asif.
Atiqa will be competing in the third round of the WSK Super Masters in Italy later this week.