Jammu and Kashmir’s Atiqa Mir Concludes WSK Championship as Top Female Kart Racer

Atiqa Mir Achieves Historic Feat in WSK Super Masters

Indian racing sensation Atiqa Mir has concluded her participation in the WSK Super Masters championship, securing an impressive eighth position in the final round and marking her as the highest-ranked female competitor in the prestigious karting series. The 11-year-old racer from Jammu and Kashmir demonstrated remarkable skill and resilience throughout the five-round competition, competing in the highly competitive OK-NJ class.

The Chenab Times has learned that Mir’s journey in the WSK Super Masters was marked by significant achievements, including one podium finish, two fastest laps, and eight top-six finishes. Notably, she secured a remarkable second-place finish in one of the qualifying sessions. Her performance positions her not only as the top female driver but also as the leading Indian participant in the series.

Mir, who made a voluntary transition from the mini category to the junior category at the beginning of 2026, showcased her burgeoning talent against seasoned international competitors. Despite facing some instances of misfortune that hindered potential higher placings, her speed and consistency remained evident. In the final weekend at Franciacorta, she qualified seventh, narrowly missing a top-three start by a mere tenth of a second, underscoring the intense level of competition.

During the heat races, Mir consistently finished within the top five, securing fifth, fourth, and fifth positions. These results highlighted her ability to contend with some of the world’s best young drivers. She qualified sixth out of a field of 53 drivers and started the pre-final in third place. A strong start saw her move up to second, but an incident where she was pushed off track by another competitor denied her a front-row start for the final race.

Starting the final from 13th on the grid, Mir mounted a significant charge through the field, reaching as high as seventh place before ultimately finishing in a commendable eighth. This performance reaffirmed her status as a leading young talent in global karting. Her debut in the OK-NJ class at La Conca in January saw her, at just 11 years old, among the youngest and least experienced drivers in the Italian circuit.

Despite the challenges of adapting to new conditions and a higher category, Mir consistently displayed raw speed. In one instance, she out-qualified Mercedes Junior driver Nicolo Perico. The final round at Franciacorta was described as a clean weekend for Mir, with top-five finishes in all her heats, indicating her significant development and adaptation throughout the championship.

Reflecting on her WSK campaign, Atiqa Mir expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete in such a prestigious series. “I have been karting non-stop for the last 8 weeks at a very high level and have been able to adjust and adapt to so many firsts,” she stated. “I’ve learnt a lot and am a better driver today than when I started in January. I was having my best race weekend here at Franciacorta till this driver pushed me off the track and he got a penalty for that. But nonetheless it was a good race and my best finish here in P8 on road. I want to thank my sponsor RAISE for making this happen.” The incident where she was pushed off track resulted in a penalty for the other driver.

Mir’s performance in the WSK Super Masters is a significant milestone for Indian motorsport, particularly for young athletes aiming for international recognition. Her achievements underscore the growing talent pool within the country and provide inspiration for aspiring racers.