Speeding into the future: Formula 1 academy picks 10-year-old Indian racer Atiqa Mir for driver programme
Sports, Formula 1: She is the first Indian to be chosen for this honour. Atiqa one of only three girls chosen by F1 Academy worldwide in mini category
Atiqa Mir, a 10-year-old karting sensation, has become the first Indian and Asian to be signed byFormula 1 Academy for its driver programme, a testament to her rapid growth in the world of motorsports.
F1 Academy, a female-only racing series owned by Formula 1, has decided to take Atiqa on board for its Discover Your Drive programme (DYD) after closely tracking her stellar performances on the karting circuit.
The racer from Jammu and Kashmir is only one of three drivers in the mini category (age 8-11) worldwide to be chosen for the DYD programme. Atiqa will represent Formula 1 Academy at the Champions of the Future Academy Program Championship with six rounds In Europe and Middle East, starting this weekend.
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The F1 Academy is investing in Atiqa’s rare talent by providing financial and technical support, covering her fitness, driving and mental preparation.
Being signed by F1 Academy is a major stepping stone in Atiqa’s blossoming racing career and she duly realises the significance of this opportunity.
“I’m so excited to hear this amazing news. To be chosen by Formula 1 Academy is a huge honour for me and for us here in India. I will work hard and perform at my best and repay the faith out in me by Formula 1 Academy. It is massively encouraging for me and I take great pride in representing my country,” said Atiqa.
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Formula 1 created the F1 Academy with the sole purpose of developing and preparing female driver to progress to higher levels of single seater racing.
Susie Wolff, a former racer who has driven a Formula 1 car, is the managing director of F1 Academy."To drive the meaningful change we want to see in our sport, we can’t just talk, we need to act. I see a lot more girls competing competitively in karting and we want to make sure that the best have the opportunity to progress," said Wolff, who is also the wife of Mercedes F1 team boss Toto Wolff.
"The introduction of an F1 ACADEMY rookie test and the continuation of our collaboration with Champions of the Future Academy Program are unprecedented opportunities for young emerging talent and will help us cultivate a competitive pipeline of talent for F1 ACADEMY for years to come,” she added referring to the rookie test introduced in the senior category.
Besides creating a feeder line of female racers for higher echelons of motorsport, F1 Academy aims to play an instrumental role in taking a female driver to Formula 1, which is considered the pinnacle of motorsport.
With the announcement on Friday, Atiqa entered a select club of female racers who are out to break that barrier.Last month, Atiqa became the first Indian female to sign for a full season with World Series Karting.
