On September 5th, 2026, at 18:30, A2RL will take to the track at the iconic Imola Circuit as part of the ACI Racing Weekend, marking the first international race for A2RL after two successful events in Abu Dhabi. Born in 2023, A2RL held its first race in 2024, followed by a landmark 2025 season that delivered the world’s first-ever multi-car autonomous race with six teams. These teams represented top autonomous driving labs and companies from around the globe, establishing A2RL as a premier platform for AI in motorsport.
Competing at Imola continues this momentum with five key teams participating: TUM, PoliMOVE, Unimore, Kinetiz, and Constructor. These teams bring cutting-edge autonomous driving technology to one of Europe’s most technically demanding circuits, offering a clear demonstration of how AI systems perform under real race conditions — from high-speed decision-making to race strategy and overtaking.
This moment builds on A2RL’s recent presence at Motor Valley Fest 2026, which served as a key entry point into Italy’s automotive and motorsport ecosystem.
At Motor Valley Fest 2026, A2RL showcased autonomous racing to Modena, joining industry leaders, engineers, researchers, startups, students, and motorsport enthusiasts at one of the world’s leading mobility and innovation events.
Held in the home of some of the most celebrated automotive brands, the festival welcomed more than 70,000 visitors and featured over 200 international speakers. Participants included Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Ducati, Pagani, Dallara, Pininfarina, and Italdesign, alongside technology companies, universities, and industry associations shaping the future of mobility.
A2RL’s participation marked an important milestone in introducing the series to European stakeholders ahead of its Imola debut.
Representing the UAE's growing role in advanced technology and innovation, A2RL showcased its vision for the future of motorsport through an on-site show car display. The activation attracted strong interest from industry professionals, motorsport fans, and students eager to better understand how AI is applied in racing.
More than a racing series, A2RL serves as a high-performance testing ground for technologies with applications beyond motorsport, including autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and intelligent transportation systems.
Representing ASPIRE, CEO Stephane Timpano joined the panel Autonomous Driving (Goods & People), where he emphasized the importance of real-world deployment. During his session, Stephane emphasised "We must find ways to demonstrate that autonomy can work in the real world. The UAE is among a small number of countries, alongside the United States and China, that have made meaningful progress in building human-scale test beds where these technologies can be developed, tested, and refined. The lessons learned in environments like A2RL help accelerate the broader adoption of autonomous systems across society".
Alessandro Tucci, Executive Director of House of Grand Challenges at ASPIRE, joined The Future of Racing: Technology, Performance & Emotion, highlighting how A2RL is reshaping competition "In our races, the AI becomes the driver. Teams must solve complex challenges around perception, planning, decision-making, and race strategy under real racing conditions."
A common theme across both discussions was the role of racing as an innovation accelerator, now extended through autonomous systems operating in high-performance environments.
Participation in Motor Valley Fest also enabled A2RL to engage with leading automotive manufacturers, technology companies, and research institutions, while strengthening connections across the mobility ecosystem.
With Imola next, these engagements transition from dialogue to on-track execution, bringing A2RL into direct competition at one of Europe’s most technically demanding circuits.
From Modena to Imola, A2RL’s growing European presence reflects a broader shift from showcasing innovation to racing it, positioning Abu Dhabi and the wider region at the forefront of AI, autonomy, and next-generation motorsport.
