Srinagar’s Atiqa Mir, 11, gains 16 places to finish sixth on karting world debut
The first Indian backed by the F1 Academy started near the back after a qualifying crash blocked her, and ended the weekend 40th of 87 drivers.
Atiqa Mir, an 11-year-old karting driver from Srinagar, finished sixth in the opening race of her debut at the FIA Karting World Championship over the weekend, gaining 16 places, The Hindu reported. It was the best finish by an Indian at the event.
Ms. Mir is the first Indian to be backed by the F1 Academy, which supports young women drivers. She races in the 12–14 age category for the Kart Republic team.
The weekend
Her qualifying went wrong when two drivers who had crashed blocked her as they rejoined the track, spoiling her fastest lap. That left her 83rd of 87 drivers. Before qualifying, she had been third in a practice session.
In the three heat races that followed, she gained 16 places in the first, 10 in the second and four in the third. Over the weekend she moved up 43 places in all and finished 40th of 87.
Why it matters
Very few Indian drivers reach the FIA’s world karting championship, the top level of the sport for young drivers and the usual first step towards Formula 1. Ms. Mir is racing against drivers who are older and more experienced.
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