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A2RL returns to Yas Marina with six AI-powered Super Formula cars in pursuit of 2.25 million in prize money. Teams like TUM, Unimore, and Kinetiz are set to compete in Season 2.
A2RL focuses on self-driving cars powered by AI (X)
Every time you watch a car race, you’ll never find a driver not touching the steering wheel. The main reason for this is that the car does not have a steering wheel.
But this weekend, the Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) returns to Yas Marina, with the entire grid of AI-controlled Super Formula-based single-seaters gearing up for a 20-plus lap battle of pure code-versus-code chaos.
Eighteen months after its strange and brilliant debut, the Abu Dhabi-born series returns for season two. Six teams have earned their places on the grid and are chasing a share of the $2.25 million prize pool, with the hope that the AI ”drivers” have learned enough since the first race.
What exactly is A2RL?
Founded two years ago by Abu Dhabi innovation arm ASPIRE, A2RL aimed to marry authentic motorsport engineering with cutting-edge artificial intelligence. The result is a racing series using a modified Super Formula SF23 chassis, with the cockpit and steering wheel removed and replaced with sensors, processors, and a highly trained AI “stack” that acts as the driver.
The first season saw 10 teams from universities and research institutes around the world line up at Yas Marina, each with their own autonomous creations to shine and moments of absolute hilarity.
Cars would swerve for no reason, freeze behind enemies, or spin in a straight line. Spectacular? yes. Is it predictable? Absolutely not.
After 18 months of refinement, data processing and debugging, A2RL believes the machine is finally ready for a more sophisticated fight.
Who will take part in the race this time?
Six teams have booked tickets to Saturday’s grand final.
TUM, Unimore, Kinetiz, TII Racing, PoliMOVE and Constructor.
Reigning champion TUM defeated rival Unimore in an intense sprint in multi-car qualifying to take pole position.
The remaining teams (RAPSON, Code 19, Fly Eagle, FR4IAV, and TGM Grand Prix) will compete in a “Silver Race” to determine the final classification.
The race will be streamed globally again on November 15th on A2RL’s official YouTube channel.
After training in the field of broadcast media, Mr. Sidharth is currently working as a sub-editor at News18 Sports, where he works to bring together vast sports stories on a digital canvas. His long term…read more
After training in the field of broadcast media, Mr. Sidharth is currently working as a sub-editor at News18 Sports, where he works to bring together vast sports stories on a digital canvas. His long term… read more
November 15, 2025, 23:09 IST
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