Formula 1 Academy-backed Indian racer Atiqa Mir showcased impressive speed by securing her second pole position in as many weeks before winning a Heat race in Round 2 of the RMC UAE Karting Championship.
Following her pole position and podium finish in the Formula 1-backed COTFA series last week, Atiqa seamlessly switched to different equipment and set a blistering pace at the Al Forsan Circuit. She is the first Indian to be supported by Formula 1.
In the Official Practice sessions, Atiqa topped three out of four sessions, recording the fastest time of the day in a highly competitive field of international drivers. She was also the only female participant.
Atiqa, who turned 11 last week, carried this form into qualifying, securing pole position
in the final minutes of the session with a sizzling time of 60.686 seconds.
Representing Akcel GP, she led from the front in the Heat race, securing a well-deserved victory. Although she briefly lost the lead on Lap 1, she quickly regained it and pulled away from the field of 18 drivers.
In the pre-final race, Atiqa suffered a major crash while fighting for the lead on the last lap, injuring her elbow.
Her determination and fighting spirit were evident as she completed the final lap despite the injury and a broken kart. After gaining five positions on the opening lap, Atiqa’s kart developed a technical problem, forcing her to retire early.
“What could have been a dominant weekend ended back in the pits. But that is racing; we are competing so closely at such high speeds that crashes are inevitable. I took a hard hit on my elbow, which is badly bruised. I wanted to fight and get back to the front in the final, but it wasn’t possible as my panel broke, and I couldn’t drive,” said Atiqa.
Her father, former Formula Asia Vice Champion Asif Mir, mentioned that luck was not on his daughter’s side this weekend but acknowledged that collisions are part of racing.
“She had a dominant performance, but a slight touch with another kart changed her entire weekend. She deserved a better result, but that’s how it goes sometimes in sports. She competes at a high level week in and week out in different karting championships. She has to switch engines and tyres almost every weekend, and she adapts well,” said Asif.
(With Inputs Form Agenices)
