Aston Martin is embarking on a new chapter in its motorsport history with the unveiling of its Valkyrie hypercar. This pure-bred racer, derived from the road-legal Valkyrie, is set to compete in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2025, with the ultimate goal of overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The Valkyrie stands out as the only competitor in the Hypercar class that originates from a road-legal hypercar. This unique characteristic underscores Aston Martin’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of road car technology and applying it to the highest levels of motorsport. Its competition debut is slated for the opening round of the 2025 WEC season, the Qatar 1812Km on February 28th, where two Valkyries, fielded by the works Aston Martin THOR Team, will take to the track.
“This is a proud moment for Aston Martin,” said Adrian Hallmark, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda. “To be returning to the fight for overall honours at the 24 Hours of Le Mans exists at the very core of our values and marks a key milestone in our motor racing heritage. As the only hypercar born from the road to challenge at the top of sports car racing in both the WEC and IMSA, the Valkyrie is an embodiment of our enduring sporting ethos, one that has defined the brand for more than century.”
For the WEC campaign, the #007 Valkyrie will be driven by Harry Tincknell and Tom Gamble, forming an all-British driver pairing. The sister #009 car will be piloted by triple FIA GT World Champion Marco Sørensen and WEC LMGT3 race winner Alex Riberas. In IMSA, Ross Gunn and Roman De Angelis will spearhead The Heart of Racing’s Valkyrie GTP challenge in the #23 entry. Both Gunn and De Angelis will also join the WEC driver lineups for Le Mans. Gunn will complete the all-British partnership in the #007 Valkyrie alongside Tincknell and Gamble.
The factory Valkyrie racing program is managed by The Heart of Racing (THOR), a team with prior experience running Aston Martin’s Vantage GT3 in both WEC and IMSA. “For anybody that’s been involved in sportscar racing, to be running a car at the premier level with Aston Martin, and a car which is widely accepted as one of the most beautiful in the world – the only one that is the genuine progeny of a road car – is a real honour,” said team principal Ian James.
Developed by Aston Martin Performance Technologies and THOR, the Valkyrie hypercar is unique in its class. It shares its DNA with the road-going Valkyrie, the ultimate hypercar. “The Aston Martin Valkyrie is not just a hypercar; it is a revolution in automotive engineering history representing the pinnacle of performance, design and innovation,” said Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport. “With an extraordinary fusion of F1® technology and road car mastery, Valkyrie is truly built for racing and its participation in the highest level of world endurance racing will only further cement its technological achievement.”
The race-optimized carbon fiber chassis Valkyrie is powered by a modified, lean-burn version of the Cosworth-built 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine. This engine, which in road-going form revs to 11,000rpm and develops over 1000bhp, has been adapted to meet Hypercar class performance parameters and withstand the rigors of long-distance competition. The choice of a V12 engine aligns with both performance considerations and Aston Martin’s aesthetic for a pure racing solution. Fuel efficiency is a key focus of development for the racing engine.
Aerodynamically, the Valkyrie hypercar has evolved to meet homologation criteria, building upon the road car’s design by Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and Adrian Newey. The transformation from road to race car involves meeting specific FIA technical regulations for safety and performance. Developments include quick-change bodywork, a single-point rapid refueling coupling, a high-speed pneumatic jack system, and a driver cockpit optimized for safety and quick access.
The racing suspension configuration features double wishbones front and rear, with pushrod-actuated torsion bar springs and adjustable dampers. The Valkyrie uses mandatory 18-inch Michelin Pilot Sport tires. The car utilizes an Xtrac seven-speed sequential transmission operated by semi-automatic paddle shift gear change.
Since its first test runs in July 2024, The Heart of Racing has conducted an extensive evaluation program, exceeding 15,000km. Testing took place at various tracks, including Donington Park, Silverstone, Vallelunga, Jerez, Bahrain, Qatar, Road Atlanta, Sebring, and Daytona.
Two Valkyries will compete in the WEC season, sporting a green livery. The driver lineup combines experienced racers and rising stars. Harry Tincknell’s experience with the Valkyrie development and Hypercar racing made him a natural choice. Tom Gamble, a former Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award winner, brings both LMP2 and GT experience. Marco Sørensen, Aston Martin’s most successful active racing driver, brings considerable experience and skill. Alex Riberas, an established race winner in IMSA and WEC, completes the WEC driver lineup.
In IMSA, a single Valkyrie, featuring a distinctive THOR blue livery, will compete, starting at the Sebring 12 Hours. Ross Gunn and Roman De Angelis, both previous AMR Driver Academy winners, will drive the IMSA entry.
Aston Martin approaches the dual Valkyrie race program with high ambitions, while acknowledging the strong competition. “Of course, we only do it because we want to win,” says Carter. “However, we respect the challenge of the events and the competition. They are at a high level, and that’s why we want to compete against them.”
The WEC season comprises eight rounds, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The IMSA schedule consists of 11 rounds, including the Sebring 12 Hours and Petit Le Mans.
Summary/Specs List:
- Model: Aston Martin Valkyrie Hypercar (Race Version)
- Engine: Cosworth 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 (Modified for racing)
- Transmission: Xtrac 7-speed sequential
- Chassis: Carbon fiber monocoque
- Suspension: Double wishbones, pushrod-actuated torsion bar springs
- Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport
- Racing Series: FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation of any specific racing vehicle, team, or racing activity. Racing is inherently dangerous, and any participation should be undertaken with appropriate training, safety measures, and at your own risk. The information provided here is based on publicly available sources and may not be fully comprehensive or up-to-date. Always consult with qualified professionals for any racing-related advice or decisions.
Source: Aston Martin
This article was crafted with assistance from Gemini
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