10-year-old Atiqa Mir set to become the first Indian female to race in World Series Karting

India's 10-year-old karting prodigy, Atiqa Mir, is set to make history as the first Indian female to race in the prestigious World Series Karting (WSK) Championships.

She has been signed by 29-time champions Babyrace for a full season after showcasing impressive skills during a test session at the La Conca circuit in southern Italy.

Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, Atiqa will also be the only female racer in the highly competitive Mini class, which features over 60 participants.

She will compete in three major WSK events this year: the WSK Super Master Series, the WSK Euro Series, and the WSK Final Cup.

The first race of the season, the WSK Super Master Series, is set to take place this weekend. Atiqa expressed her excitement, saying, "I am thrilled to have this opportunity to compete at the highest level of karting with Babyrace. It will be challenging to learn new tracks and drive in winter conditions, but I am ready for it, she told PTI."

WSK is widely regarded as the pinnacle of karting, having produced some of the world's best drivers, including reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen. Like Verstappen, Atiqa comes from a racing family.

Her father, Asif Nazir, was India’s first National Karting Champion and Formula Asia Vice Champion. He will be by her side as she takes on this new challenge.

"Atiqa's hard work and dedication have brought her to this stage," said Nazir. "Competing against such a talented field will be tough, but it will also be a valuable learning experience for her."

The young racer’s journey marks a significant milestone for Indian motorsports.