The world’s biggest autonomous racing league is set to return in November. The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) is back for a second season of thrills and spills. For those unfamiliar with the concept, A2RL brings together some of the most advanced driverless technology and AI for a racing event unlike any other. It’s not just a sporting event, however. The competition is part of the United Arab Emirates’ bid to position itself as a global tech leader and falls somewhere between a competition, a showcase and an R&D accelerator.
The league is run by ASPIRE, which the UAE describes as a technology programme management and business development pillar and is part of its Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). As well as offering a spectacle for a growing number of fans, A2RL provides a testing platform for developing technologies.
“The racetrack is a live laboratory. Every lap, every overtake, every algorithmic decision is a glimpse into the future of mobility,” said ASPIRE CEO Stéphane Timpano.
11 teams will compete for a $2m-plus prize pot
More than 10,000 live spectators and 600,000 online viewers watched the climax of 2024’s inaugural league, as eight AI-powered cars battled it out for a $2.25m prize. This year’s competition will feature 11 teams from around the world, including UAE, France, Japan, USA, Italy, Germany, Hungary and China.
Unlike Formula One, where the car is largely the star, each team uses the same basic vehicle. However, there’s nothing basic about this year’s upgraded EAV-25. Derived from the Japanese Super Formula car, it’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged Honda engine and can hit a top speed of 186mph. The vehicles are also fitted with identical sensor stacks and computing units designed by the UAE. The difference lies in the autonomous AI systems that each team deploys to drive their vehicle around the Yas Marina circuit – which will be a familiar venue to F1 fans.
Ahead of the main real-world race, which takes place on Saturday 15th November 2025, the teams got to test their capabilities on virtual racetracks. SIM-Sprint is a series of simulated races that allow each team to hone and tweak their AI in a safe virtual space.
The big day will also see a side event with an autonomous car racing a top human driver. Last year saw F1 ace Daniil Kvyat beat his AI competitor by 10 seconds, a margin that organisers hope will be closer in 2025.
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