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Aston Martin Unveils Valkyrie Hypercar for Le Mans and Endurance Racing

Aston Martin is set to embark on an exciting new chapter in its storied motorsport legacy with the debut of the Valkyrie hypercar, marking the brand’s return to the top tier of endurance racing. The Valkyrie, derived from its road-going counterpart, will compete for overall victory at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans and take on both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA).

A Unique Hypercar Entry

Unlike any other competitor, the Valkyrie is the only racing car in the Hypercar category derived from a road-legal hypercar. It will make its global competition debut at the 2025 WEC season opener, the Qatar 1812km, on February 28. Aston Martin’s THOR Team will field two Valkyrie entries in WEC, further cementing its place in endurance racing history.

British Talent Leads Aston Martin’s Le Mans Line-up

Aston Martin has assembled a formidable driver lineup for the Valkyrie program. In WEC, the #007 Valkyrie will feature British endurance racer Harry Tincknell alongside rising star Tom Gamble. The #009 Valkyrie will be piloted by three-time FIA GT World Champion Marco Sørensen (DEN) and accomplished endurance racer Alex Riberas (ESP).

In IMSA, the THOR Team will enter a single #23 Valkyrie in the GTP class, driven by 2024 IMSA GTD Pro championship contender Ross Gunn (GBR) and 2022 GTD class champion Roman De Angelis (CDN). Both drivers will also join the WEC squad at Le Mans, ensuring a strong three-driver lineup for the endurance classic on June 14-15, where Gunn will team up with Tincknell and Gamble for an all-British entry.

A Race-Ready Evolution of the Valkyrie

The Valkyrie hypercar, developed in collaboration between Aston Martin Performance Technologies and The Heart of Racing (THOR), is unique in endurance motorsport as the only top-tier competitor derived from a production-based extreme performance car.

The Valkyrie retains its Cosworth-built 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine, which in its road-legal form revs to 11,000rpm and produces over 1,000bhp. The race version has been modified for durability and efficiency to meet Hypercar regulations, including a 680bhp power cap. Aston Martin has focused on enhancing fuel efficiency by optimizing torque delivery and reducing engine friction while maintaining the engine’s high-revving nature.

Designed by Aston Martin’s Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and legendary race car engineer Adrian Newey, the Valkyrie’s aerodynamics have been refined to meet FIA’s Hypercar homologation requirements. The transition from road to race has involved adapting safety and performance elements, including quick-change body panels, high-speed pneumatic jacks, optimised driver cockpit ergonomics, and FIA-mandated 18-inch Michelin tyres.

Extensive Testing Ahead of Competition Debut

Since its initial test runs in July 2024, the Valkyrie has undergone a rigorous development program, amassing over 15,000km of testing across various tracks, including Donington Park, Silverstone, Vallelunga, Jerez, Bahrain, Qatar, Road Atlanta, Sebring, and Daytona. These tests have helped fine-tune the car for both WEC and IMSA competitions.

Aston Martin’s two WEC Valkyries will feature a striking green livery, reminiscent of the brand’s past triumphs at Le Mans. The IMSA entry will sport a bespoke THOR blue livery and will debut at the Sebring 12 Hours from March 12-15.

Looking Ahead to Le Mans Glory

With an all-British trio leading the charge at Le Mans and a meticulously engineered hypercar in its arsenal, Aston Martin is poised for a strong return to the top tier of endurance racing. The Valkyrie project signifies a bold commitment to performance, innovation, and the pursuit of victory at the world’s most gruelling endurance races.

The countdown to Le Mans 2025 has begun, and Aston Martin is ready to take on the challenge.

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