After a hiatus of over a decade, Aston Martin is set to reclaim its position in the upper echelons of endurance racing with the reintroduction of the Valkyrie LMH (Le Mans Hypercar) project.
Reviving a Dream: The Valkyrie LMH Project
Originally announced in 2019, Aston Martin’s ambitious plans to race the Valkyrie at Le Mans were temporarily shelved. Now, over three years later, the project has been officially rekindled.
The racing prototype will be based on the Valkyrie AMR Pro track car, specifically designed to meet LMH regulations. Powered by a modified Cosworth-built 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine, the prototype will deliver over 1,014hp in standard form. However, to align with championship regulations, total power will be limited to 680hp.
A Strategic Omission: Hybrid System Absent in Race Variant
In a departure from the road-spec Valkyrie, the race variant will omit the battery-electric hybrid system. This decision is in line with the requirements set by the championships’ Balance of Performance regulations.
Come 2025, Aston Martin will field at least one Valkyrie racecar in the top classes of both the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the USA-based IMSA SportsCar championship. This heralds the marque’s bid for outright victory at Le Mans, among other prestigious events like Daytona 24 Hours and 12 Hours of Sebring.
With this endeavor, Aston Martin solidifies its status as the only manufacturer confirmed to compete across all levels of sportscar and GT racing, in addition to its presence in Formula 1. The company’s intention to integrate F1 insights into the Valkyrie racecar’s performance highlights the potential for knowledge transfer between different racing disciplines.
The Battle Royale: Facing Off Against Giants
Aston Martin will face stiff competition from established names such as Ferrari, Toyota, and Peugeot, as well as fellow Hypercar competitors. Additionally, they will contend with LMDh entries from Lamborghini, BMW, Porsche, Cadillac, and Alpine, promising intense on-track showdowns.
This development marks a thrilling chapter for Aston Martin and the endurance racing community, setting the stage for an exciting return to the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 2025.
