Sports Minister Backs 11-Year-Old ATIQA MIR’s Formula 1 Ambitions

June 8, 2026

• ATIQA MIR, 11, secured full government backing from Sports Minister Mandaviya after becoming only the third driver in COTFA history to sweep a championship round with dominant qualifying, heat, and final victories in Greece.
• The first Indian driver supported by F1 Academy, ATIQA received assurances of complete governmental assistance in her Formula 1 development path, marking official recognition of her international karting success.
• The ministerial meeting signals renewed Indian motorsport investment, coinciding with efforts to return Formula 1 to India after a 13-year absence since the 2013 Grand Prix.

all-female f1 academy, champions karting academy, champions of the future academy, formula 1