F1 drivers vs autonomous racing competition

A2RL is the Abu Dhabi autonomous racing league.

Dreaming of futuristic racing, AI computers replace people.

Instead, it is a racing league where F1 cars are piloted.

The cars in this league are some of the best that can be raced, but

Instead of biological parts weighing about 80 to 90 kg with a high risk of failure.

We use mechanical parts that can be repaired at any time even if they break down.

At the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi

It was 3-5 minutes slower than the early F1 drivers, but

Nowadays, AI technology has developed to the point where it is only about 8 seconds behind.

Of course, 8 seconds is like an eternity in the F1 league.

A2RL left Abu Dhabi last November.

At Japan’s Suzuka Circuit, reputed to be the most difficult of the F1 circuits.

Facing off against former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat

Even at first glance, the Suzuka Circuit looks tougher than the Yasu Marina Circuit.

A2RL’s AI accumulates the data necessary for learning on the track and

After learning this, A2RL finally competed against humans.

Compared to the Abu Dhabi track, which is only 8 seconds apart.

Due to the nature of the course difficulty, the A2RL vehicle starts 22 seconds earlier.

Of course, there were many opinions that the match would be an overwhelming victory for Daniil Kvyat.

Unfortunately, weeks of learning are useless when it comes to winning.

A2RL vehicle

During the practice lap warm-up phase before entering the main race,

Failed to corner and crashed.

It was so futile that I couldn’t even take a picture of the situation at the time of the spin.