The Formula One Academy recently announced an expansion of their support for young Indian racing talent Atiqa Mir. Atiqa has been selected for the newly launched Champions of the Future Academy Program (COTFA) UAE. Aged 10, she will receive backing from the F1 Academy during the national karting championship in the UAE. This support adds to the assistance she already receives for various competitions, including the international COTFA series through the Discover Your Drive (DYD) program.
Atiqa, who recently secured a victory in the RMC Championship, is currently participating in the MENA Nations Cup in Qatar. This new development marks her as the first Indian driver to receive technical and financial support from Formula One.
The F1 Academy highlighted the progress made by COTFA in boosting female participation, noting that the percentage of female drivers on the grid has risen from 5% in its first year to an impressive 30% in 2025. This increase reflects the positive impact of COTFA and the F1 Academy on nurturing future female talent.
Under COTFA, two new national initiatives have been introduced in the UAE and Great Britain, with Atiqa selected in the 8-11 age category in the UAE program. Susie Wolff, the Managing Director of the F1 Academy, expressed enthusiasm about the rising level of female talent in the championship.
Wolff stated, “It’s remarkable to witness the rapid growth in female talent within this championship. By ensuring all participants have the same equipment and budget limitations, we can truly identify standout performers based on merit alone.” The F1 Academy is extending support to twenty-seven drivers across the international and new UAE and British series, demonstrating their dedication to expanding the talent pool.