Testing Highlights

In our first week, we worked our way into the circuit lap by lap: mapping runs, our first full-speed lap, and our first multi-vehicle interaction sessions. But day three left the biggest impression, when a thunderstorm brought heavy rain and hail over the track. Rather than sit it out, we sent the car out to gather data under exactly the conditions that challenge our sensors the most.

After a week of analysis and development, we returned for a second test with a refined software stack — and took more than three seconds off our previous best lap. The standout moment of the week, though, was a close call on track: our counter-steer recovery caught the car mid-slide and brought it back in line, avoiding a collision entirely. It was the first time a safety function we had so far only validated in simulation proved itself live, at racing speed.

That confidence carried straight into qualifying: the second-fastest opening lap of the session, and a best time of 1:39.060 on lap six — good enough for third place, before a technical issue at Acque Minerali brought our day to an early end.

What's next: Europe debut on September 5th

On September 5th at 18:30, A2RL will race at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari as part of the ACI Racing Weekend — the league's first international event after two successful seasons in Abu Dhabi.

Imola is widely regarded as one of the most demanding circuits in Europe, with elevation changes, narrow racing lines and little run-off to forgive mistakes. For autonomous systems, that's a serious test: grip management, positioning and overtaking all have to hold up in real time under constant pressure — exactly what we've spent the last two weeks training for.

Going into Imola as reigning A2RL champions from the 2025 season, our goal is clear: turn the pace we've shown in testing and qualifying into real race results. A big thank you already goes out to the whole A2RL team and all the mechanics who supported us through both test weeks — now it's time to race.