Aston Martin has never shied away from motorsport, but 2025 marks a bold new step. The British marque is returning to the pinnacle of endurance racing with the Valkyrie, a hypercar engineered for both road and track. This unique entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA) aims to challenge the best in the sport, including at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Valkyrie stands alone as the only competitor derived from a road-legal hypercar. This sets it apart in the Hypercar class, making it a fascinating prospect for both fans and engineers. The first race is set for 28 February 2025, at the Qatar 1812km, where the works Aston Martin THOR Team will field two Valkyries.

The Road to Le Mans

Competing at the highest level of endurance racing is no small feat. Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark sees this as a defining moment for the brand.

“To return to the fight for overall honours at Le Mans is at the core of our values,” he says. “The Valkyrie represents our relentless commitment to motorsport and innovation.”

Aston Martin is no stranger to success at Le Mans. With previous class victories under its belt, the Valkyrie’s challenge for outright honours in 2025 is a major milestone.

A Strong British Presence on the Grid

Aston Martin’s return to endurance racing is bolstered by an all-British driver line-up for the #007 Valkyrie at Le Mans. Harry Tincknell, a Le Mans class winner, joins Tom Gamble in the full WEC season. For the #009 Valkyrie, triple FIA GT World Champion Marco Sørensen and WEC LMGT3 class race winner Alex Riberas will take the wheel.

Meanwhile, in IMSA, Ross Gunn and Roman De Angelis will handle the #23 Valkyrie entry in the GTP class. Both will also join the WEC drivers at Le Mans, completing a strong and experienced team.

Developed for Performance and Reliability

Aston Martin Performance Technologies and The Heart of Racing (THOR) have ensured that the Valkyrie is not just a road car adapted for racing – it is a thoroughbred built to excel on the track.

The Valkyrie retains its naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12, developed by Cosworth. While the road-going version produces over 1,000bhp and revs to 11,000rpm, the race-spec engine has been optimised for endurance racing. With the Hypercar class limiting power to 680bhp, Aston Martin has focused on refining the torque curve and improving fuel efficiency.

“The V12 was built for endurance,” says Adam Carter, Head of Endurance Motorsport at Aston Martin. “Running lean allows us to optimise stint lengths and improve reliability.”

Aerodynamics and Handling

Aerodynamic efficiency plays a crucial role in endurance racing. The Valkyrie’s design, originally crafted by Adrian Newey and Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, has been adapted to meet FIA regulations. This includes adjustments for safety, balance of performance, and durability.

Quick-change bodywork, rapid refuelling systems, and integrated pneumatic jacks enhance pit stop efficiency. The chassis features a double-wishbone suspension setup with adjustable dampers, ensuring maximum grip and stability.

Michelin Pilot Sport tyres, mandatory under Hypercar regulations, provide the necessary traction, while a seven-speed Xtrac sequential transmission ensures rapid gear shifts.

A Meticulous Testing Programme

Preparing for a dual campaign in WEC and IMSA requires extensive testing. Since its first track run in July 2024, the Valkyrie has completed over 15,000km of testing. This includes sessions at circuits such as Silverstone, Vallelunga, Jerez, Bahrain, Sebring, and Daytona.

Team Principal Ian James is confident in the programme’s progress. “The reliability we’ve demonstrated so far is promising. Everyone involved, from design to engineering to race execution, has been exceptional.”

Aiming for Victory

With two Valkyries set to compete in WEC and IMSA, Aston Martin’s ambitions are clear. The green-liveried hypercars will carry forward the brand’s rich motorsport heritage as they take on the world’s best.

Le Mans will be the ultimate test, and the excitement is building. Will Aston Martin’s road-to-race hypercar claim victory? Can the Valkyrie cement its place in endurance racing history?

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