The foundation for success in single-seater racing, or for that matter, most categories of motorsports, starts from karting.

It is the first step on the ladder and one of the most competitive environments.

As India searches for its third F1 driver, one of the most promising karters out there is Atiqa Mir of Jammu & Kashmir. The 11-year-old girl based in the UAE is a chip off the old block with her father, Asif Nazir Mir, a former National karting champion.

Atiqa is blazing a trail in Europe, competing in various karting series. Recently, she dominated the second round of the Champions of the Future Academy race in Greece, topping qualifying, both heats and the final.

“The most memorable part of the weekend was crossing the line and raising my hand, telling P1 and then listening to the national anthem,” said Atiqa, who is currently fifth in the championship after three rounds.

What started as a fun activity turned serious when she finished second in her maiden competitive race in the UAE National championship.

“Later, I came in as vice-champion in the rookie category of the mini category in the UAE championship. That gave me a little bit more confidence racing against the boys,” she adds.

Atiqa says one of the challenges she faced was bullying by the boys on the track, but she has learned to stand up to them. “They don’t like to lose to a girl and try to push me off the track, but then I do the same to them, and then they learn from it.”

Last year, Atiqa became the first Indian and Asian to be signed by the Formula 1 Academy, which supports women racers.

While her ultimate goal is to reach F1, Atiqa is focused on taking it one step at a time. “The pathway to get there is just to finish karting and then go, for me, as early as possible to Formula 4.”

For now, she is on the right track!