Abu Dhabi Showcases Global Leadership in Autonomous Racing at A2RL Season 2 Grand Final
ABU DHABI, 16th November, 2025 – H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the highly anticipated Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) Season 2 Grand Final at Yas Marina Circuit, a highlight of the first-ever Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week organised by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC).
The event featured a groundbreaking Human vs AI Race showcase, where former Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat faced off against TUM’s fully autonomous racecar. This unique demonstration put the spotlight on the rapid precision, responsiveness, and operational sophistication achieved by today’s autonomous technologies, underscoring the remarkable progress made by A2RL in just its second season.
The Grand Final assembled six top-tier teams: local innovators Kinetiz and TII Racing representing the UAE; Germany’s TUM (Technical University of Munich) and Constructor University; and Italy’s Unimore (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia) and PoliMOVE (Politecnico di Milano). Each autonomous racecar delivered an impressive performance, showcasing rapid advancements in engineered systems and reaffirming A2RL’s status as a global leader in autonomous racing technology.
Upon conclusion of the competition, H.H. Sheikh Zayed congratulated the Grand Final winners and praised all teams for their commitment to progress in artificial intelligence and autonomous mobility systems. He highlighted the event as a reflection of the league’s influence in advancing breakthroughs in AI, robotics, and autonomous systems within the motorsport sector.
H.H. Sheikh Zayed emphasized the league’s growing significance: “A2RL has become a fully integrated global platform, showcasing the latest breakthroughs in AI, robotics, and autonomous systems within motorsport,” noting the demonstration of advanced technologies such as precision algorithms and high-speed decision making throughout Season 2.
Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary-General of the Advanced Technology Research Council, commented, “Today’s Grand Final demonstrates what happens when you turn a city into a living laboratory for advanced technologies. A2RL is not just a race – it is where AI, autonomy, and engineering excellence are pushed to their limits in full view of the world. The progress we witnessed on track reflects the UAE’s commitment to building sovereign capabilities, attracting top global talent, and accelerating technologies that will shape the future of mobility.“
High-ranking officials including Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Marine Sports Federation and Abu Dhabi Marine Sports Club; Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government; Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi; and Professor Ebrahim Saeed Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, joined the celebrations alongside several senior dignitaries.
A total of 11 teams from around the world took part in A2RL Season 2, competing for a US$2.25 million prize pool. In addition to showcasing the latest in AI, robotics, and autonomous driving systems, the event featured drone showcases and engaging fan activations. The Grand Final attracted a large public audience eager to experience the latest innovations shaping the future of autonomous motorsport.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
