Each team has been given identical autonomous cars which come pre-programmed with software capable of driving around the Yas Marina Circuit via an on-board computer — otherwise known as the autonomous stack. From there, it is then up to the teams of coders to develop the software by building up the “stored knowledge” within the AI through simulator sessions and on-track tests to improve its decision-making in the heat of a race.
“Think of a corner on a track,” explained McCarthy. “There’s of course an optimal line that the car will be programmed to follow, but then the next questions are: ‘What’s what’s the optimal speed I can come in and do that at?’ ‘How is that connected to the performance of the car itself?’ ‘How is it connected to the performance of the tyres?’ ‘How is it connected to the heat of the tyres at that point in time?’ ‘And how is it connected to the way the gear ratios are set up on the car?’ All of that data is also going into the car and it is then up to the coders to write software that can answer each question quicker than the rest.”
Although this weekend will mark the series’ inaugural race, there is already plans for it to return to Yas Marina annually.
Which teams are competing in the A2RL?
A total of eight teams will make up the A2RL grid — each boasting a different livery and AI-generated representative.
| Team name | University/Organisation | Country | Team principal |
| Humda | Humda Lab Szechenyi University Group |
Hungary | Armin Bogar-Nemeth |
| Unimore | University of Modena and Reggio Emilia | Italy | Alessandro Toschi |
| Tum | Technical University of Munich | Germany | Simon Hoffmann |
| Fly Eagle | Khalifa University | China & UAE | Nadya Abdel Madjid |
| Polimove | Politecnico | Italy | Rodrigo Senofieni |
| Constructor | Constructor University | Germany | Ilya Shimchik |
| Code 19 | Code 19 Racing | USA | Lawrence Walter |
| Kinetiz | Intsugi | UAE & Singapore | Tareq Albannay |
What cars are used in the A2RL?
Every A2RL car will take on a different personality — could it result in exciting wheel-to-wheel driverless action?
A2RL
Each team will be in charge of programming a Super Formula SF23, based on Japanese Super Formula cars, which will be powered by 2-litre, 550bhp, four-cylinder, turbocharged engines and driven by an autonomous stack module in place of a driver.
Originally intended to be driven by humans at over 180mph, the car has been extensively modified for the competition and outfitted with an array of radar and lidar (laser) scanners, as well as cameras and GPS which will aim to build up a picture of the surrounding environment.
What circuit does the A2RL race on?
The A2RL plans to race annually on Yas Marina’s full grand prix circuit — identical to the one F1 races on.
At 3.281-miles long, the circuit is renowned for its multitude of high-speed corners and straights which grew in number after the track underwent significant change in 2021.
The 90-degree entry into Turn 1 could be a catalyst for chaos as it forces the pack together shortly after the start, and the braking zone for the Turn 5 hairpin is often challenging for even the most experienced racing drivers, let alone a recently conceived AI module.
There’s also the Turn 6 and 7 chicane to conquer, as well as the elongated hairpin at Turn 9. Much like in other series, both are likely to provide ample opportunity to overtake, but with a computer behind the wheel, its currently unknown as to whether it’ll end in a disaster or not. Nevertheless, with plenty of run-off at almost every corner, there will at least be some margin for error.
