World’s biggest autonomous racing league returns to UAE with $2.25m prize and global line-up
France and Japan join high-speed A2RL showdown in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI: The world’s largest autonomous racing league is set to return to the UAE capital, as ASPIRE, the technology programme management pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), announces the second season of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL).
The high-stakes championship will take place on 15th November 2025 at the Yas Marina Circuit, offering a prize pool of USD $2.25 million and introducing a new year-round digital racing component called A2RL SIM-Sprint.
Building on the momentum of its inaugural edition in April 2024 – which drew more than 10,000 spectators and garnered over 1 million global streaming views – A2RL Season 2 returns with a stronger global presence and deeper integration of artificial intelligence (AI) innovation into motorsport.
The announcement was made at the Make it in the Emirates Forum, highlighting the growing role of autonomous technologies in the UAE’s industrial and R&D sectors.
Who’s racing this year?
A2RL 2025 expands its international reach, welcoming elite research teams from 10 countries. For the first time, competitors from France and Japan will join the grid, alongside returning teams from the United States, Germany, China, Singapore, Italy, and the UAE.
With every team adapting its proprietary AI algorithms to a standardised racing platform, the league offers a level playing field to showcase real-time decision-making, rapid machine learning, and algorithmic performance under race conditions.
At the heart of this innovation is the upgraded Emirates Autonomous Vehicle (EAV-24), built on the proven Super Formula SF23 chassis and autonomized entirely in the UAE. The vehicle has undergone significant enhancements in 2025, featuring more robust sensor arrays, improved computational units, and optimised control logic. These upgrades will allow teams to test the limits of machine control in high-speed environments.
What’s new with SIM-Sprint?
A2RL 2025 also marks the debut of the SIM-Sprint – an ambitious virtual racing series developed to support AI advancement throughout the year. These digital races simulate a broad range of track conditions, helping teams fine-tune their algorithms and test rare ‘edge cases’ that are hard to replicate in real-world settings.
The SIM-Sprint aims to transform A2RL into a continuous development ecosystem. A structured pathway will gradually open participation to independent developers, fans, and students through progression tiers: Sim Academy, Sim Pro, and ultimately, real-world qualification for the A2RL grid.
This pioneering integration of digital and physical competition enables consistent data gathering, risk-free experimentation, and accelerated algorithm refinement. It positions A2RL not only as a sport but as a proving ground for real-world autonomous mobility systems.
How advanced are the racecars?
Central to the league’s physical competition is the Dallara Super Formula SF23 – the fastest open-wheel race car after Formula One. Weighing 690 kilograms and reaching top speeds of 300 km/h, the SF23 is built with sustainable bio-composite materials and features cutting-edge systems such as drive-by-wire throttle, advanced braking, and a bespoke autonomous stack.
Each team adapts the same base car to optimise performance using their AI software, creating a pure race of code, strategy, and innovation. As the competition intensifies, the performance and safety benchmarks set at A2RL continue to influence the broader autonomous vehicle industry.
Faisal Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary General of ATRC, said: “With A2RL, we’re not just testing autonomous technology, we’re accelerating its evolution in the most demanding conditions possible. From high-speed racing to real-world applications, we are demonstrating what’s possible when nations invest in deep tech innovation and challenge the world to think faster, build smarter, and compete responsibly.”
ASPIRE CEO Stephane Timpano added: “By combining the physical thrill of racing with the precision of virtual testing, we’re enabling the world’s best minds to push the boundaries of AI. This year’s expanded league reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to challenge-driven innovation, where real-world impact is engineered at speed and scale.”
Why does A2RL matter?
Organised by ASPIRE, A2RL is not just a motorsport league; it’s a technology accelerator driving the global conversation on autonomous mobility. Under ATRC’s leadership, Abu Dhabi is positioning itself as a centre of excellence in AI, robotics, and intelligent transport systems.
Each A2RL season contributes to building a robust ecosystem for innovation, talent development, and public engagement in STEM. The league’s impact extends beyond competition, aiming to inspire the next generation of engineers and create real-world applications for the future of transport, logistics, and mobility systems.