Aston Martin has exciting news for motorsport fans – the Aston Martin Valkyrie will be competing at Le Mans and all WEC rounds in 2025. This marks a significant return to top-class endurance racing for the British manufacturer. The Valkyrie will be competing under the Heart of Racing team, with two Valkyries set to participate in every WEC round next year, including the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours.
While full details on the differences between the Valkyrie AMR-LMH race car and the road car are yet to be confirmed, we do know that it will feature a ‘race-optimized’ version of its carbon fiber chassis and retain its impressive Cosworth-built 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine. However, due to Le Mans Hypercar regulations, the V12’s output will be limited to a maximum of 630bhp, down from the road car’s 1000bhp. The Valkyrie will not feature the hybrid system found in the road car, similar to its track-only AMR Pro variant. It remains to be seen if these restrictions will affect its current 11,000rpm redline.
In an effort to comply with new regulations, Aston Martin will be running two Valkyries in the series instead of one, as all manufacturers will be required to field two cars in the top class starting in 2025. Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport, expressed the team’s eagerness to compete at the highest level of sports car racing and aims to be competitive from the outset.
Prototypes of the Valkyrie have already begun testing at various circuits, indicating that the car is well on its way to its race debut. The development of the Valkyrie AMR-LMH is progressing on schedule, with plans for intensive testing to maximize performance and reliability ahead of its race debut in the autumn.
The Heart of Racing team, Aston Martin’s works team, has established its UK headquarters near the Silverstone facility to oversee the development of the Valkyrie AMR-LMH. Additionally, there are plans to run a US-based IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Programme for the Valkyrie AMR-LMH in the GTP class. The Valkyrie AMR-LMH is set to make its official track debut later this year before its first WEC outing in 2025.
Overall, the Aston Martin Valkyrie’s entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2025 promises to be an exciting development for motorsport enthusiasts. With its cutting-edge technology and performance capabilities, the Valkyrie is poised to make a significant impact on the world of endurance racing. Stay tuned for more updates as the Valkyrie prepares to hit the track in the coming months.