New Delhi: Humaira Mushtaq is unsurprised when she runs into doubters and naysayers. In any case, the younger girl from Jammu and Kashmir has chosen motorsport – largely untapped within the subcontinent, particularly on the subject of feminine drivers. Alongside the journey, the 25-year-old has additionally needed to navigate a good variety of stereotypes and conservatives.
Humaira Mushtaq, the motive force from Jammu and Kashmir, was the one feminine driver on the grid on the British Endurance Racing Championship (HT)
Nonetheless, when Humaira was requested to seem for seven checks earlier than she turned the primary Indian girl to take part within the British Endurance Racing Championship in March final 12 months, she was nervous.
There have been sceptical appears throughout when she acquired into the automobile, though when she acquired out, she may see respect of their eyes.
“When they saw me for the first time, none believed I was a racing driver,” Humaira advised HT. “They asked “an Indian woman”? I keep in mind the organisers asking, “Have you driven these cars before on the European circuit?””
She hadn’t. However in simply two checks, Humaira satisfied the worldwide motorsports physique, FIA, her ability, guaranteeing entry in a 620hp Aston Martin as the one girl on the grid. FIA waived the remaining 5 checks, additionally saving her the bills she would fairly spend money on the race itself.
“They started to take me seriously after that. I’d discuss setups and warm-up cycles and they realised I knew my stuff,” added Humaira. “Convincing people can be difficult, especially as a woman, but once they see what you’re capable of, they can’t deny it. Once people realise I know what I’m doing, their attitude changes.”
Humaira additionally pursued one other observe – she is a professional dentist. Racing although is her past love. She started go-karting as a six-year-old earlier than shifting to ROTAX carting, single-seaters, touring vehicles, grand tourers, after which F2 and F3.
She was inspired to observe her ardour by her motorsport fanatic father, who was additionally a health care provider, till his loss of life when she was 14.
“I felt I needed to give up when he was not around. But his last words to me were “Do not quit racing, you have the talent. Go professional, reach out to the world and God will help you”.” After that her mom, Dr Anjum Shaheen, turned her help however she suggested Humaira that she additionally follow her medical profession.
The Dubai-based Humaira has began coaching for the 2025 season, the place she can even enterprise into drifting alongside endurance championships in Dubai, Spain and the UK.
“I do a lot of high-intensity workouts. When driving in Abu Dhabi, the temperature in the car can reach 55°C,” provides Humaira. “To build heat tolerance, my trainer had me wear a helmet and sweatsuit to the gym once a week. It looked ridiculous, but it helped me adapt to the heat,” she says.
“My practice drills include visualisation and mental exercises. The G-force adds pressure, especially on the shoulders. It’s exhausting, but you get used to it. After a full day of racing you feel completely drained, and so the cognitive training is just as critical.”
Humaira has come a good distance from dashing and ‘drifting’ on Kashmir roads as a youngster and coping with complaints to turn out to be the one South Asian girl driver with an ITCC (Worldwide ‘C’ Circuit) license. And she or he believes she has solely began.