Abu Dhabi, UAE – The Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) is back for its second season, pushing the boundaries of AI and motorsport at the Yas Marina Circuit on November 15, 2025. This year's event promises even more excitement as driverless single-seater cars return to the track, showcasing the rapid advancements in autonomous racing technology.
Eleven elite teams from around the globe are competing for a US$2.25 million prize pool, demonstrating the growing interest and investment in AI-driven motorsport. Following an 18-month preparation period and a rigorous qualification process, the six fastest teams have earned their place in the Grand Final, marking a historic milestone as fully autonomous racecars compete wheel-to-wheel for the first time. The teams racing in the Grand Final are TUM, Unimore, Kinetiz, TII Racing, PoliMOVE, and Constructor, representing Germany, Italy, and the UAE. These teams will compete in a 20-lap race to determine the A2RL Season 2 champion.
The A2RL Grand Final marks a significant moment as six fully autonomous racecars compete simultaneously on the track. Reigning champions TUM secured pole position after a "Multi-Car Qualification" sprint against Italian team Unimore, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown. The remaining teams, RAPSON, Code 19, Fly Eagle, FR4IAV, and TGM Grand Prix, will participate in the Silver Race, providing them with a platform to further refine their algorithms and determine their overall rankings.
Pre-race build-up has highlighted the narrowing gap between human and AI performance, with Unimore becoming the first team to surpass a human benchmark lap time during testing. In a highly anticipated "Human vs AI" showcase, TUM will race against former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat, offering a thrilling demonstration of speed, strategy, and technology.
For A2RL Season 2, the EAV-24 has been upgraded to the EAV-25, which is based on a Super Formula SF23 chassis and capable of reaching speeds of 295 kph (183 mph). Reliability was a key focus in the development of the EAV-25, with upgrades to the steering system, GNSS and 5G antennas, electronics, and wiring looms. The cars also feature quick-release connectors and a weight reduction of around 50 kg (110 lb). New antennas with serviceable connectors are intended to reduce noise and improve maintenance, and a new, faster connection to the camera with a new lens has been implemented. A new PCIe hard drive with improved vibration resistance has also been added.
The A2RL event started earlier in the year with a SIM racing event. Team Kinetiz claimed overall victory in the inaugural A2RL SIM-Sprint series, which concluded after four races in September. The virtual autonomous racing series challenged the teams' AI drivers at Suzuka, Yas Marina Circuit, and the virtual Autonodrome track.
Beyond the races, the event features a Supercar Parade Laps display by Group 63 and awards for the A2RL STEM Competition, which involved 140 students from across the Emirates competing with AWS DeepRacer autonomous cars. The Fan Zone offers humanoid robot demonstrations, tech activations, interactive games, and live performances.
The A2RL Season 2 Grand Final will be broadcast globally on November 16th at 3pm GST via Abu Dhabi Media Network, StarzPlay, Motorsport TV, and the official A2RL YouTube channel.
