Aston Martin has set its sights on an epic comeback to the world of endurance racing, marking a return to the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, alongside prestigious events like the Daytona 24 Hours. This resurgence is part of the automaker's strategic plan to reassert its presence in the world of motorsport. The star of this ambitious endeavor will be none other than the awe-inspiring Valkyrie, a vehicle that has already carved a name for itself as a remarkable fusion of cutting-edge technology and raw power.

 

The journey to Le Mans for the Valkyrie has been a captivating one. Racing was always an integral part of the plan for this extraordinary machine. However, the road to the proposed Hypercar endurance racing class encountered a few bumps along the way. In 2020, shortly after Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll acquired a stake in Aston Martin and the Racing Point Formula 1 team, now known as Aston Martin Racing, the original vision of collaborating with Formula 1 rivals Red Bull Racing for the competitive Valkyrie underwent a transformation.

 

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2021, Aston Martin reiterated its commitment to bring the Valkyrie to the racetrack, and the long-awaited confirmation has now arrived. Beginning in 2025, the Valkyrie will take its place in the highly competitive Hypercar class in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech Championship in the U.S., where the class is referred to as GTP. These entries will be managed by the U.S.-based Heart of Racing team, ensuring that the Valkyrie races on both sides of the Atlantic.

 

This thrilling development means that the Valkyrie will be competing in three of the most prestigious endurance races globally: the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and the grueling 12 Hours of Sebring. The stage is set for an epic showdown on some of the most challenging and revered tracks in the world.

The Valkyrie's transition from a road-legal hypercar to a racing behemoth is remarkable. The track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro, initially designed to meet the LMH (Le Mans Hypercar) regulations for the Hypercar class in the WEC, was later adapted to conform with IMSA's LMDh (Le Mans Daytona hybrid) regulations. However, Aston Martin has opted to enter the Valkyrie as an LMH entrant, offering more freedom in design but obliging the vehicle to incorporate a hybrid system that contributes power to the front axle. Since the road-going Valkyrie sends its electric assistance exclusively to the rear axle, the racing version will run without a hybrid system, similar to the Glickenhaus SCG 007.

 

Balancing performance across different technologies is paramount in Hypercar racing, and a comprehensive set of Balance of Performance (BoP) restrictions will be implemented to ensure fairness and competitiveness. Key parameters, including aerodynamics, weight, and power, are closely regulated to level the playing field for all competitors. Aston Martin has confirmed that the Valkyrie's power source will remain the 6.5-liter V-12 engine, albeit with an expected reduction in output from the AMR Pro's 1001 horsepower to align with BoP regulations. For context, it's worth noting that the civilian-grade AMR Pro was estimated to be capable of completing a lap at the Le Mans circuit in approximately 3 minutes and 20 seconds, a time only slightly behind the race-winning Toyota LMP1 car's pace in the same year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The competition in the Hypercar and GTP classes is expected to be fierce, with an impressive roster of manufacturers joining the ranks. In addition to established contenders like Cadillac, Ferrari, Glickenhaus, Peugeot, Porsche, Toyota, and Vanwall, BMW and Acura have also entered the IMSA series. Furthermore, newcomers Alpine and Lamborghini are set to make their debut next year. Despite this formidable competition, the Valkyrie holds a unique distinction as the "first purebred hypercar to participate in both championships, and the only one among its rivals that can trace its origins back to an existing production car." This sets the stage for an electrifying battle that will determine the future of endurance racing.

 

For Aston Martin, the return to Le Mans is not just about rekindling past glory but also about cementing its position as a formidable force in the world of motorsport. The automaker has already earned a storied history at Le Mans, boasting 19 class victories and an overall victory in 1959 with the DBR1, driven by the legendary duo of Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby. Now, with the Valkyrie leading the charge, Aston Martin aims to add another chapter to its illustrious racing legacy.