Zayed Bin Mohamed Attends Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League Season 2 Grand Final At Yas Marina Circuit
H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) Season 2 Grand Final at Yas Marina Circuit. This event was part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, organised by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), from 10-15 November 2025. The Grand Final highlighted significant advancements in autonomous racing technology.
The Human vs AI Race showcase featured former Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat competing against TUM’s fully autonomous racecar. This demonstration emphasised the precision and rapid responsiveness of these technologies, showcasing A2RL's progress in its second season. The event underscored the operational sophistication achieved by these advanced systems.
H.H. Sheikh Zayed also witnessed the participation of six qualified teams in the Grand Final. These included UAE-based teams Kinetiz and TII Racing, Germany’s TUM and Constructor University, and Italy’s Unimore and PoliMOVE. The autonomous racecars delivered impressive performances, reflecting rapid advancements in engineered systems, reaffirming A2RL’s status as a leading platform for autonomous racing.
Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs, remarked on the significance of turning a city into a living laboratory for advanced technologies. He stated: "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."
A total of 11 teams from around the globe competed in A2RL Season 2 for a US$2.25 million prize pool. The event showcased cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous driving systems. It featured drone showcases alongside diverse fan activations, attracting a large public audience eager to experience innovations shaping autonomous motorsport's future.
H.H. congratulated the winners after the competition concluded, commending all teams for their performance and dedication to advancing innovative technologies powered by artificial intelligence and autonomous mobility systems. He noted that A2RL has become an integrated global platform showcasing breakthroughs in AI, robotics, and autonomous systems within motorsport.
Key Figures Attending
The event was attended by notable figures including Sheikh Mohammed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Marine Sports Federation; Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai; Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government; Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi; Professor Ebrahim Saeed Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University; among other senior officials.
H.H. highlighted that Season 2 demonstrated advanced technologies such as precision algorithms and high-speed decision-making. These reflect the league’s growing role in accelerating innovation in autonomous mobility. The progress seen on track aligns with the UAE's commitment to building sovereign capabilities and attracting top global talent.
With inputs from WAM
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