ATIQA MIR Makes History as First Indian Female in WSK Junior Category

January 24, 2026

• ATIQA MIR, just 11 years old, has scored a dream drive with reigning world champions Modena Racing Team for the 2026 WSK championship season. The Formula 1 Academy-supported driver is taking the bold step of jumping directly into the junior category (ages 12-14) rather than staying in her age-appropriate mini category, making her the only female on a 37-driver grid of world-class talent.
• This historic signing makes ATIQA the first Indian female ever to compete in the OKNJ category of WSK, considered the “Formula 1” of karting where champions like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Sebastian Vettel honed their skills. The move represents a massive technical leap from 10 bhp engines to 29 bhp machines capable of 126 kmph with G-forces exceeding 2.5.
• The decision to fast-track ATIQA into the junior ranks comes from her father Asif Mir, India’s first National Karting Champion, who believes the challenge is essential for her Formula 1 aspirations. Rather than dominating her age group, they’re choosing the tougher development path that could accelerate her growth as a driver against the world’s best young talent.

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