Exciting news for all racing enthusiasts and Aston Martin fans, as the iconic automaker is gearing up for a thrilling return to the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans with a racing prototype version of its ultimate hypercar, the Aston Martin Valkyrie.
In a groundbreaking move, Aston Martin, with the invaluable support of its championship-winning endurance racing partner, Heart of Racing [HoR], will unleash at least one Valkyrie racecar into the top Hypercar class of both the FIA World Endurance Championship [WEC] and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championships [IMSA] starting from 2025. This means the prototype Valkyrie will grace three of sports car racing’s most prestigious events – Le Mans, the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
The return to Le Mans, where Aston Martin has a storied history, aims to create new history with a racing prototype inspired by the fastest production car the brand has ever built. The Valkyrie AMR Pro was originally designed for LMH hypercar regulations, but will undergo transformation at the Aston Martin Performance Technologies facility to become a competition prototype. The modified Valkyrie will feature a Cosworth-built 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine, developed to meet the Hypercar class’s performance requirements.
Aston Martin’s partnership with Heart of Racing, founded by American businessman Gabe Newell, marks a significant collaboration. The charity-focused racing team, known for its success with the Vantage GT3, will lead Aston Martin’s programs in WEC and IMSA, making the Valkyrie the first purebred hypercar to participate in both championships.
But the excitement doesn’t end there. Aston Martin’s commitment extends to all levels of endurance racing, from Hypercar to GT4. In a separate announcement, Aston Martin revealed plans to build and prepare all-new GT3 and GT4 cars based on the Vantage platform. This move ensures Aston Martin’s presence in various racing series worldwide, starting from the 2024 racing season.
Aston Martin will be the only manufacturer competing at all levels of sportscar and GT racing, from Hypercar to GT4, and the FIA Formula 1® World Championship. The introduction of a new GT race car, based on the Vantage, concludes the remarkable era of the current generation Vantage, the most successful racing car Aston Martin has ever produced.
With a consistent record of success at the world championship level, Aston Martin, fueled by the Heart of Racing, is set to redefine excellence on the racing circuit. Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled journey as Aston Martin unleashes the Valkyrie hypercar, symbolizing the brand’s commitment to performance and endurance racing glory. The countdown to the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2025 has officially begun!
