Latest news with #AKCELGP
NDTV
3 days ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
After Formula 1, 10-Year-Old Indian Racing Prodigy Gets Backing From UAE-Based AKCEL GP
Atiqa Mir, the 10-year-old Indian karting prodigy, on Monday received another shot in the arm in her fast growing racing journey by securing a place in a professional motorsport development programme backed by UAE-based team AKCEL GP. AKCEL GP is a high-performance motorsport squad competing in FIA F4 and Formula Regional Middle East Championship besides FIA F3. Atiqa, who is based in Dubai, is also the first Indian to be supported directly by Formula 1, having earned a spot in F1 Academy's DYD program at the back of promising results on the global karting circuit. She has competed in some of the world's most prestigious karting championships, including the Rotax Euro Trophy, Rotax International Trophy, IAME Series (UAE and Europe), WSK Euro Series, WSK Super Master Series, and the Champions of the Future Academy. Atiqa's signing coincides with the launch of the AKCEL GP Academy. "The academy will serve as a cutting-edge training ground for the next generation of racing talent from the UAE and abroad," it said in a statement. The academy's inaugural batch will feature 15 promising young drivers and is committed to "offering a structured and competitive pathway beginning with elite karting championships and advancing through the ranks of single-seater racing." Reflecting on this new chapter in her journey, Atiqa said, "Racing is everything to me. It's where I feel strong, fast, and free. Joining AKCEL GP Academy is a dream come true, and I want to show young girls like me from Dubai and India that we can compete at the highest levels. One day, I hope to race in Formula 1,and I'm ready to work hard to get there." Amit Kaushal, Group Chairman of AKCEL Group, added, 'Atiqa's talent, focus, and composure on track are well beyond her years. Over the next 15 years, we're committed to guiding her development from karting to single-seaters, as she grows into a world-class racer and future F1 contender." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
News18
4 days ago
- Automotive
- News18
Child Prodigy Atiqa Mir To Be Part Of AKCEL GP Academy's Inaugural Batch
Mir will be part of 15 promising young drivers at the academy in the Dubai-based team's inaugural cohort. Indian racing prodigy Atiqa Mir will feature in the inaugural batch of the UAE-based team AKCEL GP's Academy as the ten-year-old takes another giant strike towards the automotive dream. Mir, the first Indian to earn a berth in F1 Academy's DYD program on the back of promising results on the global karting circuit, will be part of 15 promising young drivers at the new academy seeking to introduce the cutting edge of the motorsport world to the upcoming generation. AKCEL GP is a high-performance motorsport unit with a presence in FIA F4 and Formula Regional Middle East Championship in addition to FIA F3. 'Racing is everything to me. It's where I feel strong, fast, and free," the prodigy said. 'Joining AKCEL GP Academy is a dream come true, and I want to show young girls like me from Dubai and India that we can compete at the highest levels. One day, I hope to race in Formula 1,and I'm ready to work hard to get there," she added. advetisement ALSO READ| Macron On Violence In Paris After PSG's UCL Win: 'Nothing Can Justify…' 'Atiqa's talent, focus, and composure on track are well beyond her years. Over the next 15 years, we're committed to guiding her development from karting to single-seaters, as she grows into a world-class racer and future F1 contender," Chairman of AKCEL Amit Kaushal said. 'The academy will serve as a cutting-edge training ground for the next generation of racing talent from the UAE and abroad," the team said. ALSO READ| French Police Detain Fans During PSG Champions League Triumph Celebrations Mir has competed in some of the world's most prestigious karting championships, including the Rotax Euro Trophy, Rotax International Trophy, IAME Series in UAE and Europe, WSK Euro Series, WSK Super Master Series, and the Champions of the Future Academy. AKCEL GP will support Atiqa in her progression from karting to single-seaters. First Published: June 02, 2025, 20:30 IST
Deccan Herald
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Deccan Herald
After Formula 1, 10-year-old Indian racing prodigy Atiqa Mir gets backing from UAE-based AKCEL GP
AKCEL GP is a high-performance motorsport squad competing in FIA F4 and Formula Regional Middle East Championship besides FIA F3.
What's On
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- What's On
Motorsport and Legacy-Building: Meet AKCEL Group founder Amit Kaushel
Sponsored: A powerhouse… Amit Kaushal began his career in Dubai in the late 1990s before expanding into the UK and beyond. Today, as chairman, he heads up the global AKCEL Group, a diversified business spanning IT, real estate, investments, and now motorsport. In a recent podcast, Kaushal speaks about his company's push into the world of formula racing with AKCEL GP, the group's branded real estate venture with BNW Developments, and his ambition to build a legacy that leads all the way to Formula One. Before we get into the motorsport side of things, tell us more about AKCEL Group. It's quite a diversified business: can you paint a picture for our audience? Of course. Firstly, thank you for having me. AKCEL Group is built around the concept of transforming aspiration into legacy. That idea is embedded in the name itself: 'A' stands for Aspiration , 'K' for Knowledge , 'C' for Clarity and Consistency , 'E' for Excellence , and 'L' for Legacy . So it's not just a name — it's a journey. In terms of the business, we're a global conglomerate. Our roots are in IT — specifically consulting and training — and we operate in India, the UK, the US, Ireland, and Dubai. We also own Jetking, which has over 100 IT training centres in India. We've recently entered real estate in the UAE through a branded residence partnership with BNW. Our first flagship project will launch on Dubai Islands, followed by an expansion into Ras Al Khaimah. That's a huge step for us. Then, there's motorsport — which is giving global visibility to our brand. We're proud to be the first Indian-origin group to own a racing team in this space. It's a major milestone, especially for the wider South Asian community. And finally, we have an investment arm that focuses on alternative assets — everything from angel investing to venture capital. So AKCEL Group is built on four key pillars: IT, real estate, motorsport, and investments. I personally left India around 25 years ago. I started my journey in Dubai back in 1998, then moved to the UK in 2000. And now, life is bringing me full circle — back to Dubai, which has always had a special place in my heart. Can you tell us more about AKCEL GP and why did you decide to launch it now? AKCEL GP is our motorsport arm, and we've just completed our first season here in the Middle East, competing in Formula 4 and the Formula Regional Middle East Championship. We even made it to a few podiums. The idea started in Dubai when I met our team principal, Rohit Kaul, a former Formula driver. We shared a common vision, and we realised there's very little South Asian representation in global motorsport. That inspired us. We wanted to create a platform to nurture young talent and eventually compete in Formula One. We pulled everything together in just nine months and launched at the Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa in January 2025. Our drivers come from diverse backgrounds — India, the UK, Romania — and we're proud to support the Al Qubaisi family too. Amna and Hamda Al Qubaisi are now our brand ambassadors and sit on our advisory board. They're pioneers in UAE motorsport and have been a huge support. You've decided to make the UAE your global base — tell us why. Dubai is where I began my journey, and strategically it makes perfect sense. It's now at the centre of global conversations, whether it's sports, tech, AI, crypto, real estate or investment. Everything is converging here. Logistically, it's also ideal for managing operations across both the Indian subcontinent and Europe. For us, it's not just home: it's a launchpad. The business of motorsports is quite complex — it's not just what we see on track. What have you learned so far? A lot! We started with a technical partner, but now we're building our own in-house technical team for our European F4 and FRACA campaigns. That gives us better control, allows us to build in-house performance models, and elevate our drivers. We're also setting up a second base in Milan, Italy to manage the April to October European racing season. After that, we'll compete in Macau and return to the UAE for the 2026 season. Every person on the team — from our technical director Matthew Norman, to logistics and operations — plays a critical role. It's a true team sport behind the scenes. Do you attend every race yourself? I try to attend as many as possible, but our team principal Rohit Kaul leads the operations on the ground. My role is more strategic: managing partnerships, sponsor relations, and ensuring smooth execution throughout the season. Sponsors are crucial. Who are some of your key partners? We're fortunate to have a great mix. BNW Developments is one of our lead partners. Gulf Business is on our car too — which we're very proud of. We also have Century Financial, and LifeCoin as sponsors. Each one plays an important role in the ecosystem we're building. You're competing in Formula 4 and Formula Regional — can you explain the difference? F4 is the first major step after go-karting — the entry point into the Formula ladder. From F4, drivers move to FR (Formula Regional), which is more powerful and covers specific regions — we just raced across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Jeddah. After FR, drivers can progress to F3, F2 and ultimately F1 — the dream. The difference lies in engine power, car weight and complexity. But every step is crucial. You mentioned AKCEL Academy: what is its role in terms of your overarching approach to motorsport? The Academy supports the entire talent pipeline. We identify young drivers early. One of our drivers started go-karting at four and is now eight, and is already a champion from Singapore. We also have a focus on inclusivity. For example, we've reserved one seat for a female driver, and we're proud to support Hamda and Amna Al Qubaisi. We're also planning an announcement in Barcelona to enter the endurance-based Le Mans series with them. And we're supporting Atika, the first Indian female driver to enter an F1 Academy. She's an inspiration. So what's next for AKCEL GP in the next five to ten years? The short-term focus is to strengthen our presence in F4, F3, and F2. Simultaneously, we're scaling our Academy and merging racing with IT and engineering. The long-term aspiration is to reach Formula One and to see our driver on the F1 podium one day. That's the vision, and we're fully committed to it.
Arabian Post
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Arabian Post
UAE to become international hub of Motorsports
By Saifur Rahman Amit Kaushal. Chairman of AKCEL Group The governments and the private sector in the GCC are investing heavily in infrastructure and creating world-class race tracks for the development of motorsports that, coupled with strong interest among the local youth are spearheading the motorsports in the region. Home to two global Formula 1 race tracks, the region is yet to become a global hotspot for motorsports. Although a lot of youngsters aspire to become global celebrities, motorsports has not become part of the mainstream sports yet. However, this is about to change with global investors injecting resources into motorsports by not only giving the motorsports enthusiasts proper training, guidance, mentoring and putting them into racing circuits, but also by investing in creating new teams in different circuits. Amit Kaushal, an Indian entrepreneur and Group Chairman of AKCEL Group, is one such entrepreneur who is working with UAE-based motorsports professionals to create global motorsports assets that will raise the UAE flags in major international circuits. He brings more than 25 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience, strategic foresight, operational excellence, and a deep understanding of emerging markets to the Group's global operations. AKCEL GP, a UAE-based motorsport team, unveiled its long-term vision to transform the UAE as a global hub of motorsports by developing local talents and position them in the global racing circuits where the UAE flag could fly high. Interest among young UAE nationals and expatriates for motorsports is driving the new initiative. An increasing number of UAE nationals and residents are taking active part in both amateur and professional car racing activities that will help the team to achieve this. Dubai Sports Council last year said that the sports sector contributes more than US$2.5 billion to Dubai's growing economy and responsible for 105,000 employment in the emirate. A key area of growth is sports tourism that is worth US$600 billion in the Middle East and is set to grow at .7 percent by 2026. AKCEL GP, a UAE subsidiary of the UK-based AKCEL Holdings is deploying significant resources to train and nurture local and regional talents in order to prepare them to win international racing circuits. It has recently unveiled its team members for a number of global racing events that will reinforce the UAE's position to a much higher level in these circuits. The news comes at a time when the GCC region in general and the UAE in particular is witnessing a surge in the number of motorsports events taking across the country where the number of participants – both male and female – are growing every month. Last year, AIX Investment Group announced a 100 per cent acquisition of the PHM AIX Formula 2 and Formula 3 teams. The company said that this move aligns with its unwavering commitment to innovation, performance, and global impact. Racing Force, parent company of the Bahrain-based Racing Force International had begun trading the shares of the company on Euronext Growth Milan, the market dedicated to medium-sized companies. From no motorsports facilities in 2004, the GCC currently holds more than a hundred motorsports events and car racing championships every year where thousands of local and regional participants compete against each other. Starting from go-carting to desert drive, amateur to professional racing – the region has it all, including two global venues for the annual Formula 1 racing circuits in Bahrain International Circuit and Yas Marina Formula 1 race track. Besides, Dubai Autodrome at the Dubai Motor City hosts a large race track where amateurs and professionals practice to hone their skills to achieve greater success in professional racing. Although the region is yet to claim a significant share in the US$10.79 billion global motorsports market, its share is growing due to the high level of interest in motorsports among the local population in the GCC countries as they constantly seek greater thrill. 'Formula 1's presence in the UAE is symbolic of the broader motorsport culture that exists in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia has also been making waves in this arena, hosting the Formula E races in Diriyah,' said a recent report. Formula E, the all-electric racing series, has gained momentum globally, and its continued presence in the GCC highlights the region's commitment to sustainable innovation. In fact, Saudi Arabia hosted its seventh Formula E event this year and this move is part of a broader strategy to integrate sustainability with sport.' Revenue in the sports cars market in the GCC is projected to reach US$2 billion (Dh7.3 billion) in 2025 while sale of sports cars in the region is expected to reach 28,400 in 2029, according to Statista – a global market intelligence provider. 'Sooner than later, we could see young Emirati motorsports professionals lift the Formula 1 racing title,' Amit Kaushal, Group Chairman of AKCEL Group, says. 'For that, the country has invested heavily to create an eco-system for motorsports and we are witnessing young Emirati boys and girls are enrolling in various training centres to learn car racing to compete in international circuits. AKCEL GP is here to accelerate the pace and we are going to invest more resources to make sure that the UAE flag rises high in more and more international circuits.' AKCEL GP has already started making headlines since it officially entered the global racing arena in January this year. Competing in Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA), Formula Regional Middle East Championship (FRMEC), and Formula 4 (F4) series, the team's entry marks a significant milestone for the UAE. AKCEL GP is championing a new era of diversity and talent. Founded on the principles of acceleration and excellence, the team aims to push the boundaries of performance and inclusivity. AKCEL GP's roster of drivers includes rising stars from diverse nationalities, showcasing the team's focus on nurturing global talent and empowering the next generation of racers. The team integrates advanced data analytics and telemetry to optimise driver performance while championing sustainable technologies such as energy-efficient systems and lightweight materials. The team's cars, adhering to FIA standards, reflect AKCEL GP's dedication to competitive excellence. With Alpine Racing collaboration for the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) and FIA-standard Formula 4 vehicles designed for cost efficiency and fairness, AKCEL GP is equipped to challenge the best on circuits worldwide. With circuits spanning Europe, the Middle East, and beyond, AKCEL GP aims to connect with a diverse global audience while offering sponsors unparalleled opportunities for global exposure. 'With the availability of great facilities and large corporates coming forward to patronize local talents in the racing circuits, we are now seeing greater corporate engagement in support to local motorsports,' Amit Kaushal says, 'It is a matter of time for this motorsports movement to see a greater number of Emirati national players help the sector to grow faster. 'We are currently speaking to all stakeholders including government authorities, sports bodies, corporate world and the academicians to help the industry evolve as the level of interest among the young Emirati and expatriates are very high and we see a great opportunity to position the UAE in the global racing landscape.' Kaushal's professional journey began in the late 1990s, following the completion of his academic pursuits in India. He began his career in the private sector and went on to lead major initiatives in education before moving to the UK, where he held senior positions at top-tier investment banks including Bank of New York Mellon, Wells Fargo, Santander, Barclays, and UBS. In 2001, Amit founded his first venture in IT consulting and training services, serving clients across industries including energy, utilities, finance, healthcare, telecom, media and entertainment in UK, Ireland, and India. His business acumen has since driven the expansion of AKCEL Group into a consolidated global enterprise with operations spanning multiple continents and a projected annual revenue exceeding US$100 million. His leadership is marked by structured growth, ethical entrepreneurship, and an unwavering focus on value creation. He is passionate about developing future talent and building high-impact ventures—most notably through AKCEL GP, the Group's flagship Formula Racing Team based in the UAE. Now based in London, Amit remains deeply engaged in global business, mentorship, and motorsport. His integrity, optimism, and results-driven mindset continue to shape AKCEL Group as a dynamic force on the world stage. AKCEL GP is part of AKCEL Holdings which is a diversified investment conglomerate with interests in investment, technology, training, real estate, motorsports, sports and entertainment. The group has footprints in the United Kingdom, the UAE and India. Founded by UK-based Non-Resident Indian serial entrepreneur Amit Kaushal, the group boasts of more than a dozen businesses spread across the UK, UAE and India. With a tagline – Aspiration to Legacy – the AKCEL Group recently established AKCEL GP, a UAE-based motorsport team, that has started to make waves as it officially entered the global racing arena by competing in Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA), Formula Regional Middle East Championship (FRMEC), and Formula 4 (F4) series, the team's launch marks a significant milestone for the UAE. Dedicated to developing world-class racing talent and fostering innovation, AKCEL GP is setting new benchmarks in motorsport globally. Also published on Medium. Notice an issue? Arabian Post strives to deliver the most accurate and reliable information to its readers. If you believe you have identified an error or inconsistency in this article, please don't hesitate to contact our editorial team at editor[at]thearabianpost[dot]com. We are committed to promptly addressing any concerns and ensuring the highest level of journalistic integrity.
