F1 ACADEMY COTFA SERIES: Young racer Atiqa Mir shines with Pole and Podium finish in UAE

Srinagar, Nov 12: Indian racing prodigy Atiqa Mir stormed to a historic pole position before finishing third on the podium in the opening round of the Formula 1 Academy-backed COTFA UAE karting series here.

As per a statement issued on Wednesday, the 10-year-old is the first Indian to be supported by Formula 1. Already part of the Champions of the Future Academy (COTFA) international series, Atiqa last month was picked by Formula 1 Academy for the two-round COTFA UAE championship.

With more eyeballs on this championship, there was additional pressure to deliver, and Atiqa did not disappoint.

She clinched the pole position, becoming the first ever female in the world to achieve this feat in the COTFA mini class before adding a heat win to a successful weekend. She capped off a memorable week by finishing third in the final. Atiqa was coming into the weekend after a stellar October when she secured multiple podiums across championships, including a race win at the RMC Championship.

"It was a great weekend for me speed-wise; I got pole in qualifying. I wanted the win in the final but came away with 3rd. I will learn from this weekend and try and improve," said the fast-learning racer from Jammu and Kashmir.

The COTFA series is run on equal equipment and engines to ensure a level playing field for all drivers, empowering the real talent to shine through.

Asif Mir, Atiqa’s father and India’s first National Karting Champion, felt it was a mixed weekend despite the pole and podium.

"A bittersweet weekend. I thought we had the pace and track position to win. A bit disappointed but also mindful that if we are disappointed by 3rd in such a big race, then we must be doing something right. Atiqa performed well all weekend and raced hard,” he said.