Atiqa’s historic finish

The Indian racing prodigy secures landmark top-5 finish on junior class debut

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

The 11-yearold racer Atiqa Mir made a spectacular switch from mini to the much tougher junior $125 category as she became the first Indian to secure a top five finish globally on debut during round seven of the IAME UAE Karting Championship at the fabled Yas Marina Circuit.

Atiqa, the first Indian to be supported by Formula 1 Academy, could have spent another season dominating championships in the mini category (age 8-12) but she has been thrown in at deep end with the move up to the junior $125 category (age 12-14) in the new year.

The karts are 30kg heavier (115kg in mini to 145kg in junior) and have three times the horse power (10 bhp with top speed 105 kmph to 29bhp with top speed of 126 kmph).

In a clear sign of her rare talent, the Akcel GP backed Atiqa thrived in the unfamiliar territory rather than getting overawed by the occasion.