Aspire has announced the return of its flagship event, the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL). The 2025 edition will take place on November 15 at Yas Marina Circuit with a US$2.25m prize pool and the launch of a global virtual racing series.
Following its debut in April 2024, it returns with expanded international participation, welcoming teams from 10 countries, as a platform to advance autonomous mobility.
A2RL’s autonomous race car
The Emirates autonomous vehicle (EAV 24), A2RL’s upgraded autonomous racecar, aims to reflect the nation’s growing capabilities in AI, robotics and high-performance mobility.
Built on the Super Formula SF23 platform, the EAV-24 has been reengineered to incorporate enhanced sensor arrays, upgraded compute systems and refined control logic, optimized for the demanding conditions of autonomous racing. Equipped with advanced braking systems, drive-by-wire throttle control, and a custom-built autonomous stack, the SF23 gives each team a platform to adapt and optimize their AI driving algorithms in the pursuit of peak performance.
The open-wheel race car has been built from sustainable bio-composite materials, weighs 690kg and can reach speeds of up to 300km/h.
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. 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.”
The sprint
The season will see the launch of A2RL SIM Sprint. A series of virtual races designed to fast-track algorithm refinement and test AI systems in diverse conditions, the SIM Sprint extends A2RL into a year-round development ecosystem. By offering a consistent and controlled environment for experimentation, the sprint will help teams to accelerate the development of autonomous driving algorithms beyond real-world testing. A2RL has said it aims to open the SIM Sprint to a wider community of participants, including fans, independent developers and aspiring teams worldwide.
Stephane Timpano, CEO of Aspire, 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.”
In related news, the 24h Nürburgring, taking place on June 21 and 22, will be the setting for the BMW M2 Racing’s final major endurance test before its sales launch. The car has already completed over 30,000km of testing. Click here to read the full story
