FORMULA 1 ACADEMY has expanded its backing for India’s emerging motorsport talent Atiqa Mir, selecting the 10-year-old for the new Champions of the Future Academy (COTFA) UAE Program.
Under this initiative, Mir will receive support from the F1 Academy for the national karting championship in the UAE, in addition to assistance she already benefits from through the Discover Your Drive (DYD) program for international competitions, including the global COTFA series.
Since its launch in 2023, COTFA has made significant strides in increasing female participation, with the percentage of female drivers on the grid rising from 5% in its inaugural year to an impressive 30% in 2025, an incredible leap that reflects the growing impact that COTFA and F1 ACADEMY are having on the future female talent pool, a media release said.
Mir, who recently claimed victory in the RMC Championship, is currently competing in the MENA Nations Cup in Qatar. She is notably the first Indian driver to receive both technical and financial backing from Formula 1.
According to a statement from the F1 Academy, since COTFA’s inception in 2023, female participation has significantly increased, with female drivers rising from 5% to 30% by 2025. The program has launched two new national initiatives, one in the UAE and another in Britain, with Atiqa selected for the UAE series for those aged 8-11. The UAE series is set to begin from November 7-9.
Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy, said: “It’s incredible to see how quickly the level of female talent in this championship has risen. With everyone on the same specification equipment and a capped budget, it gives us a real sense of who stands out on merit alone. Our supported drivers aren’t just competing – they’re winning races and showing they have potential talent to rise into F1 Academy and beyond. We’re now extending our support to up to twenty-seven drivers across the international and new UAE and British series – reinforcing our commitment to growing the talent pool.”
