New Delhi: Humaira Mushtaq remains unfazed by the presence of sceptics and critics. The young woman hailing from Jammu and Kashmir has embarked on a journey in motorsport, a field that remains largely underexplored in the subcontinent, particularly for female drivers. Throughout her career, the 25-year-old has encountered numerous stereotypes and conservative attitudes.

When Humaira was invited to undertake seven assessments prior to becoming the first Indian woman to compete in the British Endurance Racing Championship in March of the previous year, she felt a sense of apprehension.

Upon entering the car, she noticed the doubtful expressions surrounding her, but as she exited, she could perceive a newfound respect in their gazes.

“When they first saw me, no one believed I was a racing driver,” Humaira recounted to HT. “They questioned, ‘An Indian woman?’ I distinctly remember the organizers asking, ‘Have you driven these cars on the European circuit before?’”

In truth, she had not. However, within just two assessments, Humaira demonstrated her capabilities to the international motorsports governing body, FIA, securing her place in a 620hp Aston Martin as the sole female competitor on the grid. The FIA subsequently waived the remaining five tests, allowing her to allocate those resources towards her racing endeavours.

“After that, they began to take me seriously. I engaged in discussions about setups and warm-up cycles, and they recognized my expertise,” Humaira noted. “It can be challenging to persuade others, especially as a woman, but once they witness your abilities, they cannot refute it. When people understand that I am knowledgeable, their perspective shifts.”

In addition to her racing pursuits, Humaira has also qualified as a dentist. Nevertheless, her passion for racing remains paramount. She began her journey in go-karting at the age of six, progressing through ROTAX karting, single-seaters, touring cars, grand tourers, and eventually F2 and F3.

She was inspired to pursue her passion by her father, a motorsport enthusiast and physician, until his passing when she was 14 years old.

"I felt compelled to give up when he was no longer present. However, his final words to me were, 'Do not abandon racing; you possess the talent. Aim for professionalism, reach out to the world, and God will assist you.'" Following this, her mother, Dr. Anjum Shaheen, became her source of support, although she advised Humaira to also focus on her medical career.

Based in Dubai, Humaira has commenced her training for the 2025 season, where she plans to explore drifting in addition to participating in endurance championships in Dubai, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

"I engage in numerous high-intensity workouts. While driving in Abu Dhabi, the temperature inside the car can soar to 55°C," Humaira explains. "To enhance my heat tolerance, my trainer instructed me to wear a helmet and a sweatsuit during gym sessions once a week. It may have appeared absurd, but it significantly aided my adaptation to the heat."

"My training regimen includes visualization and mental exercises. The G-force exerts pressure, particularly on the shoulders. It can be exhausting, yet one becomes accustomed to it. After an entire day of racing, one feels utterly drained, making cognitive training equally essential."

Humaira has made significant progress from her teenage days of speeding and drifting on the roads of Kashmir, where she faced numerous complaints, to becoming the sole South Asian woman driver with an ITCC (International ‘C’ Circuit) license. She firmly believes that this is merely the beginning of her journey.

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