The inaugural Aspire Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) will take place at the Yas Marina Circuit on April 27, with an expected audience of 10,000 spectators.
Eight international teams will compete in the A2RL, each featuring coders and engineers. These teams will have access to identical Dallara Super Formula SF23 cars, autonomized with racing stacks developed by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The competition offers a prize pool of US$2.25m.
For the first time, the race format will feature four autonomous cars simultaneously driving on the racetrack.
The event will include pre-qualifying races, culminating in a final Overtaking Challenge to determine the winner. Additionally, an AI vs Human car race will be featured, with TII’s autonomous car competing against former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat.
Faisal Al Bannai, secretary general of the Advanced Technology Research Council – Aspire’s parent entity, highlighted the event’s role in advancing technology: “This reimagined racing paradigm harnesses the pinnacle of coding skills, AI algorithms and software development prowess — the very skill sets of the future.”
Stephane Timpano, CEO, Aspire, the organizer of A2RL, explained, “With the support of local and international partners, we’re bringing the mobility future closer.”
Leading partners include Du, DMT, AWS and Mubadala.
An exclusive Fan Zone will offer activities for families, motorsport fans and tech enthusiasts, including VR experiences and coding competitions.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has also come on board as title sponsor. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, minister of industry and advanced technology and group MD & CEO of ADNOC, said, “A2RL epitomizes our dedication to integrating cutting-edge technology including AI, driving competitiveness and economic growth across sectors. For decades, ADNOC has invested in the latest technology and innovation – from the control room to the board room – to deliver the modern energy that powers our lives.”
For those unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed on various platforms, including A2RL‘s official YouTube and Twitch channels. The inaugural A2RL event is part of Abu Dhabi Mobility Week, running from April 24 to May 1.
