ATIQA MIR Climbs 18 Places After Crash Ruins Shot at UAE Karting Win

October 7, 2025

by Norma Godinho // from www.rediff.com

• ATIQA MIR showed exactly why Formula 1 Academy has her back, topping practice and qualifying seventh out of 32 drivers in her AKCEL GP Academy debut at Dubai’s IAME UAE Karting Championship. The 10-year-old was running a clinical fourth in heat 1 and pushing for a podium in the pre-final when racing happened – a crash while attempting an overtake left her with a broken kart and injured hand and elbow.
• Starting dead last in 28th for the final would break most drivers, but not this kid. Despite nursing injuries, ATIQA put on a masterclass in racecraft, systematically picking off 18 drivers one by one to claim 10th place and earn the distinction of highest mover in the field. Her aggressive but calculated drive proved the pace was there for a win before the crash intervened.
• “I drove my heart out and had a great time overtaking 18 drivers,” ATIQA reflected, showing the kind of perspective that separates future stars from weekend warriors. Coming off a podium at the RMC Invitational just days earlier, she’s building momentum that suggests we’re watching someone special develop in real time.

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