From F1 Thrill to Driverless Cars: Future of Racing

I've always liked motorsports, but it was the fans, F1, and the 2024 F1 movie that made me completely fall in love with it again. Both Drive to Survive and the movie received so much criticism, yet they reignited why F1 was popular in the first place. It made me think, "What would it look like if...?" And the answer to that question can be found in an AI-driven racing league.

A prime example of this is the A2RL (Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League). In this league, AI, not human drivers, is in charge of everything. This project, led by ASPIRE, was created to test autonomous driving technology in a racing environment. The vehicles are based on the Dallara Super Formula chassis and equipped with numerous sensors, including LiDAR, radar, GPS, and cameras, making them literally "autonomous driving laboratories" that race at speeds close to 300 km/h. Instead of training drivers, the team trains algorithms. The smarter the AI is, the better the performance becomes.

In the first race of 2024, only two out of four cars finished, which is problematic. However, the pace of development has been incredibly fast. In 2025, six autonomous sports cars completed 20 laps, and the top speed reached 295 km/h. There's still room for improvement. Unpredictable situations, multiple cars converging, and sensor limitations still significantly impact the AI. Humans rely on instinct and intuition for split-second decisions, but the AI ​​has to process everything. A small error can have huge consequences.

However, one of the biggest advantages of A2RL is that it allows for the safe testing of technologies that are currently too dangerous to experiment with humans. In motorsports with human drivers, many technologies are restricted, such as advanced aerodynamics, experimental traction control, and automatic braking systems. But in this autonomous league, experimentation is possible with far fewer limitations. This could lead to regulations for future automotive technology or motorsports. In this respect, A2RL has the potential to become an important stage for the advancement of autonomous driving technology. The competition benefits from testing AI in a controlled environment.

Another interesting part of A2RL is the reaction from fans. Some people are amazed by the futuristic concept, while others feel confused watching a silent cockpit with no driver inside. The atmosphere at the track is also different—there’s no driver introduction, no helmet designs, and no post-race interviews. Instead, spectators focus on the technology itself: how smoothly the AI handles a corner, how confidently it commits to an overtake, or how quickly it recovers from errors. It creates a unique experience that blends motorsports with robotics, attracting both racing fans and tech enthusiasts.

However, despite this, I still prefer races where human drivers compete. The drama provided by human connection, competition, and emotions has an appeal that AI cannot replace. A2RL is technically very interesting, but it feels a little less emotionally engaging. Nevertheless, I believe A2RL has its place. While F1 observes human relationships, A2RL explores the possibilities of machines. I'm really looking forward to the future of sports where these two worlds coexist. It seems that AI is increasingly influencing sports, and while this increased influence sometimes adds to the excitement, it also feels like it's causing some sports to lose their unique characteristics.  However, I'm also looking forward to the changes that will occur in the future.