No driver, no steering wheel: Autonomous cars race collectively in Europe for the first time, with the UAE taking the win

The Italian Imola circuit witnessed an unprecedented experience in European motorsport, as five fully autonomous cars competed in the continent’s first multi-vehicle race of its kind, held as part of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) events.

Teams from the United Arab Emirates, Germany, and Italy participated, driving Dallara SF23 cars that had been stripped of steering wheels and pedals. Artificial intelligence systems took full control of driving, relying on cameras, radar, LiDAR sensors, and an onboard central computer.

The competition did not hinge on human driver skill, but rather on the quality of programming and simulation-based training, as well as the system’s ability to make rapid decisions and balance speed against risks during the race. Organizers stated that such events provide data that is difficult to obtain in standard road tests, particularly when multiple autonomous vehicles interact at high speeds.

The race, held on September 5, 2026, over 12 laps, concluded with a victory for the UAE-based team, Kinetics.