Archive · 11 Nov 2025
Atiqa Mir Secures Historic Pole and Podium in F1 Academy-Backed Karting Series
Imagine a young girl named Atiqa who loves racing go-karts.
She got to race in a special series that's connected to Formula 1, which is like the biggest racing league in the world!
Atiqa did an amazing job and was the fastest in qualifying, which means she got to start first in the race.
She also won one of the smaller races and then finished in third place in the big final race.
Her dad, who also used to race, thought she did great but was hoping she'd win the final.
Even though she didn't win the final, finishing third in such a big race is a huge achievement for her and for girls in racing from India.
It shows that with hard work and equal chances, anyone can do amazing things!
Atiqa Mir, a 10-year-old Indian racer, achieved a historic pole position and a third-place podium finish in the COTFA UAE karting series.
She is the first Indian driver to receive support from Formula 1.
Mir also became the first female in the world to secure pole position in the COTFA mini class and won a heat race.
The COTFA series utilizes equal equipment and engines to ensure fair competition.
Atiqa's father, Asif Mir, described the weekend as bittersweet, feeling they had the potential to win the final race.
- Who
- Atiqa Mir, a 10-year-old Indian racing prodigy supported by Formula 1.
- What
- Secured a historic pole position, won a heat race, and finished third on the podium in the opening round of the F1 Academy-backed COTFA UAE karting series.
- When
- The opening round of the series, following a strong October with multiple podiums.
- Where
- Abu Dhabi.
- Why
- To compete in the Champions of the Future Academy (COTFA) international series, specifically the two-round COTFA UAE championship, aiming to showcase her talent on an equal footing due to the series' use of equal equipment and engines.
Atiqa Mir's Perspective
Father's Perspective
Weekend Performance
Atiqa Mir's Perspective
She was happy with the speed and securing pole position, but aimed for a win in the final, ending with 3rd and planning to learn and improve.
Father's Perspective
He described the weekend as bittersweet, feeling they had the pace and track position to win and was a bit disappointed by not winning, but acknowledged that being disappointed with a 3rd place finish in a major race means they are doing something right.
- Driver
- Atiqa Mir
- Event
- COTFA UAE karting series
- Result
- Pole Position, Heat Win, 3rd Place in Final
- Significance
- First Indian supported by Formula 1, first female pole sitter in COTFA mini class.
- Location
- Abu Dhabi