Atiqa Mir, aged 11, achieved a landmark result in round seven of the IAME UAE Karting Championship at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. Competing for the first time in the junior S125 category after moving up from the mini class, she finished fifth in a field of 35 drivers. This made her the first Indian to secure a top-five finish globally on debut in the category and the first female in the championship’s history to finish inside the top five. She missed the podium by only four-tenths of a second.
Historic Debut in Junior Category
Atiqa shifted from the mini category, meant for ages 8 to 12, to the junior S125 category for ages 12 to 14. The move marked a major step up in competition. Despite the age and experience gap, she adapted quickly and delivered a strong result on debut.
Performance at Yas Marina Circuit
The race was held at the Yas Marina Circuit, the Formula 1 venue in Abu Dhabi. Atiqa competed against 35 drivers in a male-dominated grid. Her fifth-place finish stood out as one of the best debut performances by an Indian kart racer in an international junior field.
Significance for Indian Motorsport
The result is important for Indian motorsport and women’s participation in racing. It marks the growing presence of young Indian drivers in international karting. Such performances are often seen as a pathway to higher levels of motorsport, including Formula racing.
IAME UAE Karting Championship
The IAME UAE Karting Championship is a professional kart racing series in the United Arab Emirates. It features young drivers across different age groups using high-performance IAME X30 engines. The championship is regarded as a competitive platform for emerging karting talent.
Last Modified: April 25, 2026