Aston Martin has launched the Valkyrie hypercar, a revolutionary model designed to conquer both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2025. This marks the brand’s ambitious return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, targeting its first overall victory since 1959. The Valkyrie stands out as the only road-derived hypercar competing in both championships, setting a new standard in racing.
The Valkyrie is Aston Martin’s answer to the new ‘Hypercar’ regulations introduced by the FIA, making its world competition debut in February at the Qatar 1812Km. Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark regards the Valkyrie as a pivotal element of Aston Martin’s racing ethos, celebrating over a century of brand heritage in competitive racing.
Under the stewardship of The Heart of Racing team and developed in partnership with Aston Martin Performance Technologies, the Valkyrie is engineered from a road-legal model to a top-tier racing machine. It boasts a race-optimized carbon fiber chassis and a lean-burning, rules-optimized 6.5-litre V12 engine, created with F1 technology insights.
The Valkyrie’s aerodynamic design has been significantly influenced by Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and Adrian Newey, who will join Aston Martin as managing technical partner of the Formula 1 team in March 2025. Newey’s expertise in F1 car design has been instrumental in crafting a vehicle that bridges the gap between road and race performance.
In terms of power, the Valkyrie utilizes a modified version of the Cosworth-built V12 engine that can rev up to 11,000 rpm and generate over 1000 bhp in its road form. For endurance racing, this engine has been adapted to comply with the 680 bhp limit set by hypercar regulations, focusing on fuel efficiency and durability under race conditions.
The hypercar’s reliability is a cornerstone of its design, built to endure the rigors of long-distance racing. This includes a new approach to engine performance, where running at lower speeds reduces fuel consumption without sacrificing power output. This strategic adaptation not only complies with the hypercar regulations but also enhances the car’s endurance capabilities.
The transformation from a road car to a race car involves meticulous adjustments to meet FIA’s stringent safety and performance standards. This includes innovations such as quick-change bodywork, a rapid refueling system, and a high-speed pneumatic jack integrated into the chassis. The vehicle also features a racing suspension setup with double wishbones and pushrod actuated torsion bar springs, optimized for the track with 18-inch Michelin Pilot Sport tires.
As for the driver lineup, the Valkyrie will be piloted by a mix of experienced and emerging talents. The WEC team features Harry Tincknell, Tom Gamble, Marco Sørensen, and Alex Riberas. The IMSA efforts will be led by Ross Gunn and Roman De Angelis, who will also join the WEC drivers at Le Mans, completing a robust team poised for success.
The Heart of Racing team principal Ian James emphasizes that running the Valkyrie at the top level of sports car racing is a career highlight. The team’s preparation has included an extensive global testing program covering over 15,000km across various international circuits, ensuring the car’s performance is thoroughly vetted under diverse conditions.
The dual race program will see the Valkyrie compete in a distinctive green livery in the WEC and a special THOR blue for IMSA, starting with the Sebring 12 Hours. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to make a mark in a highly competitive field, setting high expectations against seasoned rivals in what many see as a new golden era of sports car racing.
The WEC 2025 season comprises eight rounds, including iconic tracks like Imola, Spa-Francorchamps, and Fuji, culminating in Bahrain. The IMSA schedule includes 11 rounds at prestigious venues across the U.S., such as Long Beach, Laguna Seca, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
With the Valkyrie, Aston Martin not only revisits its rich racing heritage but also pushes the boundaries of what is possible in modern motorsport, combining advanced technology with a deep respect for the competitive spirit of endurance racing.
