The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League will return bigger than ever for an enthralling second season with a huge prize pool on offer to the victor. 

A2RL is an AI-driven racing league in which research teams from 10 countries will compete against each other on 15 November at Yas Marina Circuit.

France, Japan, USA, Germany, China, Singapore, Italy and the UAE will be among those competing for a $2.25million cash prize. 

The league is run by technological company ASPIRE, which announced A2RL’s return following a groundbreaking debut in April 2024 having drawn over 100,000 spectators plus more than one million global streamers. 

“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,” said Stephane Timpano, CEO of ASPIRE.

“This year’s expanded league reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to challenge-driven innovation, where real-world impact is engineered at speed and scale.”

At the heart of the competition is the Dallara Super Formula SF23, a next-generation open-wheel car that was autonomised exclusively for A2RL. 

It has been reengineered to incorporate enhanced sensor arrays, upgraded computer systems and refined control logic, optimised for the demanding conditions of autonomous racing. 

Ex-F1 driver Daniil Kvyat was even pitted against the AI-controlled car at Suzuka last year – though, it crashed on the formation lap.

“With A2RL, we’re not just testing autonomous technology, we’re accelerating its evolution in the most demanding conditions possible,” H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, advisor to the UAE president for strategic research and advanced technology affairs and secretary general of ATRC, said. 

“It’s a showcase of engineering excellence, but more importantly, a platform for the future of mobility.

“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.”