It has been eight years since Aston Martin revealed the Valkyrie, a hypercar designed for the road. Since then, much has changed—the brand came under the ownership of billionaire Lawrence Stroll, and its collaboration with Red Bull Advanced Technologies fell apart. The idea of a Le Mans race-ready Valkyrie seemed to have died, only to be revived in 2023. Now, Aston Martin will finally put the Valkyrie AMR-LMH on the track, debuting at the Qatar 1812 km this month.
Aston Martin, alongside Heart of Racing, has announced its driver lineup and unveiled two striking liveries for the 2025 season. The FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) entry will don a classic British Racing Green, while the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship car will feature a deep blue “THOR” variation. Both designs incorporate a distinctive checkered pattern, maintaining a unified look across racing series.
Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH racing liveries for 2025 season
Engineering the Valkyrie for Le Mans
Aston Martin has been extensively testing the Valkyrie AMR-LMH since July last year. Throughout the testing phase, the THOR Team covered more than 9,300 miles with the car. Developing a hypercar for endurance racing involves more than just aerodynamics—it requires fine-tuning the engine to meet FIA’s Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) regulations.
The 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 in the road-going Valkyrie generates over 1,000 horsepower, but LMH rules cap output at 680 hp. To comply, Aston Martin retuned the powertrain and found ways to optimize efficiency.
Adam Carter, head of endurance motorsport at Aston Martin, explained:
“Running lean to reduce the amount of fuel you are carrying to deliver the required stint energy is important. We operate the engine slower than it’s capable of because we require less power. The lower power limit within the regulations creates an opportunity for us to revisit the torque curve and reduce frictional losses by reducing engine speed to increase fuel efficiency.”
The No. 007 Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH in motion on the track
Driver Lineup and Race Plans
Aston Martin THOR will field two Valkyries across the WEC season—No. 007 and No. 009. The No. 007 car boasts an all-British crew, including two-time Le Mans class winner Harry Tincknell and rising British talent Tom Gamble. Meanwhile, the No. 009 entry will be driven by three-time WEC GT champion Marco Sørensen and Spanish racer Alex Riberas.
For its IMSA campaign, a single Valkyrie will compete, piloted by 2015 British GT champion Ross Gunn and 2022 IMSA GTD champion Roman De Angelis. At Le Mans, Gunn will join the No. 007 team, while De Angelis will race with the No. 009 crew.
This marks a significant moment in endurance racing history, as the Valkyrie will be the first LMH car, designed under the ACO’s vision, to compete in IMSA—a series traditionally filled with LMDh prototypes.
The No. 009 Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH, driven by Marco Sørensen and Alex Riberas
Aston Martin’s return to Le Mans with the Valkyrie is a bold step, proving the brand’s commitment to endurance racing at the highest level. The hypercar, once destined for the streets, will now battle against the world’s best teams on legendary circuits. Racing fans won’t have to wait long, as the Qatar 1812 km marks the beginning of Valkyrie’s competition journey.
Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 6.5L Naturally Aspirated V12 |
| Power Output | 680 hp (LMH regulation limit) |
| Original Road-Car Power | 1,000+ hp |
| Team | Aston Martin THOR |
| Racing Series | WEC, IMSA |
| Liveries | British Racing Green & THOR Blue |
The world is about to witness if the Valkyrie can dominate the endurance racing stage as Aston Martin envisions.
