Humaira Mushtaq, India’s trailblazing racer, is set to make history at British GT Championship

Later this month, racer Humaira Mushtaq will represent India at the prestigious British GT Championship, marking yet another milestone in a career defined by firsts. Mushtaq is the first Indian international woman to compete in the British Endurance Racing Championship, and now, she’s poised to be the only Indian woman competitor in one of the world’s most elite GT (grand touring) racing platforms. 

Grand touring cars are high-performance race cars designed for endurance racing, combining speed, durability, and advanced engineering.

Early passion and parental support

Born in Kashmir, Mushtaq's journey began remarkably early. Her fascination with cars was evident at just the age of two. Noticing the way she handled toy cars, her father gifted her a custom-made go-kart at the age of four and even built her a mini track at home. 

“I used to drive every evening, and that’s where I learned my basics,” recalls Humaira.

Encouraged by her father, Mushtaq progressed from go-karting to single-seaters. It was during a testing session for JK Tyre Motorsports that she was discovered and subsequently sponsored for two seasons of Formula racing. 

But just as she was gaining momentum in her chosen path, tragedy struck—she lost her father weeks before her 14th birthday.

Rising through grief and grit

The loss plunged Mushtaq into depression, but her mother helped her regain purpose in life. “My mother told me, ‘Just imagine if your father was alive, would he want to see you like this?”

That moment became a turning point. With no major women racing icons in the country to look up to, she carved her own path, balancing academic expectations with her need for speed. 

Mushtaq, who comes from a family of medical professionals, cleared the NEET exam and pursued dentistry, fulfilling her mother’s desire for a career to fall back on. But her heart was always on the track.

Breaking into the international stage

After two seasons with MRF Racing post-COVID, Humaira transitioned to international motorsports, racing with Aston Martin in the British Endurance Racing Championship. She made headlines as the first South Asian woman to receive the ITCCC (International Touring Car Competition License) international racing licence, a credential that allowed her to compete on some of the world’s most challenging circuits.

However, this groundbreaking achievement happened  after significant challenges. 

She was asked to undergo seven tests, instead of the usual two—due to doubts over her ability. 

“I didn’t know how I would afford that. But I had deliverables with my sponsors, and I had to pass,” she says. 

Seeing her performance in just two test runs, her skeptics were stunned. 

“When I told them I was 23 and had been doing this since I was four, they couldn’t believe it.”

The physical toll of racing

Behind the glamour of motorsports lies intense physical strain. 

“The temperature inside a race car can go up to 55-60 degrees, especially in Abu Dhabi,” says Mushtaq. 

She recalls how racers have passed out mid-race due to heat exhaustion. To prepare for this, she began training in full gear at the gym, donning her sweatsuit and helmet to acclimatise her body to extreme conditions.

On a relentless drive

A recipient of the Mission Shakti Award, Humaira stands as a symbol of courage and resilience in a sport where women are still fighting for visibility. 

As one of the few women in professional motorsports, she knows the power of visibility. “When I tell people I’m a racing driver, I often get blank stares,” she shares. “But once they see me on the track, their faces change.”

Her journey from the valleys of Kashmir to the international circuits is already inspiring a new generation of girls who may have never seen someone like themselves in a helmet behind the wheel. 

“There were no female racers I could look at and say, I want to be like her,” says Humaira.

But now girls have someone to look up to. 

As she prepares to take on the British GT Championship, Mushtaq is not just representing India but is also carrying the hopes of every girl who’s ever been told she doesn’t belong. 

Her journey is a testament to the power of purpose and persistence and the impact of breaking barriers one lap at a time. 

“I want to know this sport very well, I am learning, and I want to be a genius at this sport,” signs off Humaira.