10-year-old Atiqa Mir has become the first Indian to secure a top-10 finish in the prestigious Rotax Euro Trophy.
Competing in Round 2 of the championship at the Steel Ring Circuit over the weekend, Atiqa finished ninth in a field stacked with some of the world’s most talented young karters.
Backed by Akcel GP and supported financially and technically by Formula 1—another first for an Indian racer—Atiqa continues to break barriers on the global karting stage.
Despite receiving two bumper penalties during the heats, the young racer managed to qualify 10th for the final.
She had earlier clocked the seventh-fastest time in her qualifying group, showcasing strong pace early in the weekend.
The pre-finals on Sunday were disrupted by heavy rain. With no prior wet-weather experience at the Czech circuit, Atiqa displayed remarkable adaptability and racing instinct. Battling tricky conditions and stiff competition, she secured her place in the final, starting from P10 on the grid.
In the final, the rain intensified. Although she lost a few places off the line, Atiqa staged a brilliant recovery to finish ninth—cementing her position as the highest-placed Indian and Asian driver in the field.
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Reflecting on her performance, Atiqa said, “It was an amazing weekend. Racing against some of the best drivers in the world helped me learn a lot. I had great pace in the dry, and I’m happy with my progress in the wet conditions. Huge thanks to my team, especially my mechanic Adam, my parents, and everyone supporting me from back home.”
The Rotax Euro Trophy (RMCET) is one of the premier international karting series for drivers using Rotax MAX engines—globally renowned in competitive karting.
The championship has served as a launchpad for current F1 stars like Max Verstappen, George Russell, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri.
