This year’s league has research teams from 10 countries, with the global roster expanding to include France and Japan for the first time, joining a line-up of returning teams from the USA, Germany, China, Singapore, Italy, and the UAE. With an undisputed claim as most advanced competition for autonomous systems, A2RL continues to bridge the gap between simulation and real-world application.

A key change this season is 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 program. By offering what’s said to be a consistent and controlled environment for experimentation, the SIM Sprint allows teams to accelerate the development of their autonomous driving algorithms beyond what is possible through real-world testing alone. “It is especially valuable for tackling ‘edge cases’, rare or extreme scenarios that are difficult to replicate on track but are critical for building resilient AI.”

Over time, A2RL aims to open the SIM Sprint to a wider community of participants, including fans, independent developers, and aspiring teams worldwide. A structured progression system – from Sim Academy to Sim Pro, and eventually to real-world A2RL qualification – will provide new pathways to enter the league and contribute to the future of high-performance autonomy.

H.E. 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.”