11-year-old karting talent joins JK Tyre as the company strengthens its commitment to nurturing India’s next generation of racing champions
JK Tyre has signed 11-year-old karting sensation Atiqa Mir, providing a major boost to the young Indian racer’s international motorsport ambitions. The partnership continues the tyre company’s long-standing involvement in developing emerging racing talent in India.
Atiqa has already built an impressive record in international karting, competing in major championships across Europe and the Middle East. She is currently the highest-ranked female driver in the FIA International Karting Ranking’s OKNJ category, underlining her growing reputation on the global karting circuit.
In 2026, Atiqa became the first Indian to secure a podium in the European leg of the Champions of the Future Academy. She subsequently claimed a dominant victory in Greece, becoming only the third driver in the series’ history to win qualifying, the heats and the final in the same event.
She has also achieved two top-10 finishes in the FIA European Karting Championship, widely regarded as a key pathway towards higher levels of international motorsport. Her achievements have strengthened her profile as one of India’s promising young racing talents.
Atiqa was also the first Indian and Asian female racer selected for the F1 Academy’s Discover Your Drive programme, which aims to identify and support emerging female talent in motorsport. Her progress adds to the growing representation of Indian women in international racing.
The partnership with JK Tyre carries additional significance for Atiqa, as her father, Asif Mir, India’s first national karting champion, was also supported by the company during his racing career. Atiqa said the association will help her continue learning, developing her skills and representing India on the international stage.
JK Tyre has previously supported Indian drivers including Narain Karthikeyan and Karun Chandhok, who went on to compete in Formula One. The latest partnership demonstrates the company’s continued focus on identifying promising drivers and helping them progress through the motorsport ladder.
For Indian motorsport, the association provides further momentum for developing young talent and increasing the country’s presence in international racing. Atiqa’s progress across European karting championships could provide an important foundation for her long-term ambitions in single-seater racing.
The partnership also highlights the growing role of corporate support in motorsport, where sustained investment in training, competition and international exposure can help young drivers build careers on the global stage.