Key Takeaways
- Aston Martin will field two Valkyrie AMR-LMH hypercars in the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- The duo will mark Aston Martin’s return to Le Mans – the automaker won in 1959 with the DBR1.
- The naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine used in the road car will power the racers, albeit without the hybrid system.
Aston Martin and Heart of Racing have confirmed a return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a pair of Valkyrie AMR-LMH hypercars. The British marque will enter two cars into the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship due to new regulations from the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and the FIA, which state that manufacturers must enter at least two cars in the Hypercar class from 2025.
The Valkyries that will race at Le Mans next year will use a modified version of the naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine used in the road car. It offers up 1,160 horsepower in production form and revs up to 11,000 rpm. However, Aston Martin and Heart of Racing will make additional revisions to ensure the vehicle meets the Balance of Performance requirements for the Hypercar class. The electric hybrid system found in road-legal cars will not be present in racers.
2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie
- Engine
- 6.5L V12 Hybrid
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- 7-speed Sequential
- Horsepower
- 1,160 hp
- Torque
- 663 lb-ft @ 6000 rpm
Development Work Is Already Underway
Aston Martin has already started development work on the AMR-LMH cars. The automaker says testing is “well advanced,” with development taking place at Aston Martin’s testing facility in Silverstone and the Portimao circuit in Portugal. The Valkyrie won’t just tackle Le Mans; the company is working on an IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Program for the hypercar, which will run in the GTP endurance series class. Before then, the automaker will put the car through a rigorous development process before homologating it in the autumn.
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Moving into Le Mans will cement the brand’s status as an authentic motorsport brand. Next year’s entry into the Hyperclass category will ensure the brand has a presence in all forms of endurance racing. It will also be the only company competing in all types of GT and sports car racing, and Formula 1. The last time Aston Martin was victorious was in 1959, with Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby clinching first place in a DBR1. The second-place spot was also filled by an Aston Martin.
“You can trace the roots of Aston Martin’s endurance racing back to the brand’s earliest days. Indeed, we first raced at Le Mans more than 95 years ago – something no other road-going hypercar manufacturer can say. We are very proud of our association with this wonderful event, and with that in mind, it’s very clear that we are committed to WEC’s hypercar concept and bringing our famous Wings back to the very forefront of international sportscar racing, including at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
– Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance Motorsport.
Aston Martin’s Glorious Return To Le Mans
While Aston Martin is embarking on an exciting journey, it has an incredible history at Le Mans. Even though the carmaker hasn’t officially participated, the Gaydon-based brand’s sports cars have been part of the Le Mans fabric for the past 95 years, with more than 240 drivers racing 27 different chassis/engine setups during this time.
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The automaker confirmed it would race at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans last year. At the time, it said it would enter at least one AMR-LMH Valkyrie, but the aforementioned new rules mean a minimum of two cars need to run. This more positive outlook on motorsport will result in an even stronger image for Aston Martin. It’s already paying off; earlier this year, the automaker reported that Racing Green is now its most popular color, crediting this to its success in Formula 1. Should Aston Martin prove victorious in Le Mans, it’s possible that Porsche and Ferrari buyers may look to the British brand when the time comes to buy another sports or supercar.
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