The wait is over. More than six decades after his last absolute triumph in Sarthe, Aston Martin aims once again for the heights of endurance with an exceptional machine: the Valkyrie. For his first participation in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans – June 2025, the spectacular British hypercar embodies both a glorious return and unprecedented technological audacity.
A symbol of performance and heritage
Entered by the Aston Martin THOR Team, the Valkyrie is a pioneer: it is the only road-based hypercar to compete in the premier event of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Sporting a unique livery inspired by British heritage, with a Union Jack proudly flying on the rear wing, the #007 and #009 will enter the arena in an attempt to deliver a historic victory for Aston Martin, the first since the Shelby-Salvadori duo in 1959.
Two crews, one ambition
Two cars. Six drivers. One mission. The British team is banking on two trios 100% experienced in endurance racing. The #007 will be entrusted to the talented Harry Tincknell, Tom Gamble, and Ross Gunn, all British and driven by a palpable pride in representing the brand's homeland.
The #009 will bring together Marco Sørensen (three-time WEC GT champion), Alex Riberas and Canadian Roman De Angelis, all familiar with the top level but new to the Hypercar category at Le Mans. Their goal: to finish, learn, and aim for points.
Aston Martin Valkyrie LMH, the beast from the road
La Valkyrie LMH (Le Mans Hypercar) embodies a rare paradox in modern motorsport: a road car turned racing machine, where most go the other way. Originally conceived as a road-legal hypercar, it is today the only model in the LMH range to come directly from a production vehicle. A feat of design.
Origins and philosophy
Initially developed with Red Bull Advanced Technologies under the leadership of Adrian Newey (the architect of Red Bull's world-winning F1 cars), the Valkyrie was designed from the outset to blur the lines between track and road. Its transformation into an LMH version, dedicated to endurance racing, makes it one of the most ambitious projects ever attempted by Aston Martin.
Engine: the roar of the V12
At the heart of the Valkyrie LMH: a 12-liter naturally aspirated V6,5 developed by Cosworth, derived from the road version but adapted to the requirements of the Hypercar regulations. It delivers power limited to 680 horsepower (500 kW), compared to more than 1000 hp for the civilian version, but retains a spectacular increase in speed up to 11 000 rev / min, a figure almost unheard of in the world of endurance.
The engine is devoid of hybridization, unlike some competitors (Ferrari, Toyota, Peugeot), which reduces technical complexity while emphasizing pure mechanical pleasure.
Chassis and aerodynamics
The monocoque chassis is entirely made of carbon, with a manic attention to aerodynamics. The extreme design of the body, with its Venturi tunnels, sculpted air channels and monumental diffuser, generates a F1-style aerodynamic downforce, while respecting endurance constraints (long relays, stability at high speed, efficiency).
Embedded technology
Although it doesn't feature a hybrid system, the Valkyrie LMH uses electronic engine management, telemetry, and wear monitoring systems inspired by Aston Martin's F1 program. Its development also benefited from the latest-generation simulator used by the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 team.
A dual commitment: WEC & IMSA
In 2025, the Valkyrie is the only Hypercar approved for the two major world championships :
FIA WEC (World Endurance Championship), including the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, in the USA.
This involves adapting to tires (Michelin vs. Michelin IMSA-specific), fuels, race formats, and very different configurations. It also represents a huge logistical and technical challenge for the THOR Team.
Anecdote: The first run of the Valkyrie LMH on the Mulsanne Straight was greeted by a spontaneous ovation in the stands. shrill V12 sound, unique in the peloton, recalls the prototypes of the 90s, a return to pure sensations which already ignites enthusiasts.
« For us, finishing the race with both cars and securing a points result would be an exceptional achievement for this first appearance. " says Ian James, Team Principal of THOR Team. Despite the experience of the drivers, the complexity of Le Mans remains a colossal challenge. The reliability demonstrated by the Valkyrie in the first rounds of the WEC (Imola, Spa) and in IMSA (notably the 12 Hours of Sebring) is a good omen.
Vantage: the hunt for the sixth class crown
Meanwhile, the Vantage GT3, Aston Martin's most successful car in history, returns to its glory days to aim for a sixth class victory. Two crews will be competing: the #27 THOR with Ian James, Zach Robichon and Mattia Drudi, and the #10 Racing Spirit of Léman, composed of Derek De Boer, Eduardo Barrichello and Valentin Hasse Clot.
After the disappointment of 2024, when the #27 THOR was forced to retire in the final hours, the revenge campaign promises to be intense. For Drudi, the race marks the beginning of an incredible triptych: Le Mans, Nürburgring, and Spa, all within three weeks.
A modern icon of the brand, theAston Martin Vantage embodies the perfect fusion of British elegance and radical performance. Available in GT3 for competition, it shares its lightweight aluminum structure and its engine 8-liter twin-turbo V4,0 with the road version, while benefiting from intensive development on the circuit. Designed for endurance, the Vantage GT3 stands out for its versatility, proven reliability and balanced handling, all qualities that have allowed Aston Martin to win more than a quarter of his class victories at Le Mans with this platform. Both sophisticated and formidable, the Vantage continues to showcase the brand's sporting heritage in the world's biggest races, from WEC to IMSA, including of course Le Mans, where it is aiming for a prominent place in the new LMGT2025 category in 3.
A return to the big leagues
With this ambitious push in both categories, Aston Martin is reconnecting with its purest essence: competition. The Valkyrie, the ultimate embodiment of this commitment, symbolizes a new era for the brand founded in 1913.
As Adam Carter, Aston Martin's head of endurance racing, points out: "The Valkyrie is the ultimate expression of our passion for racing, embodying our commitment to combining cutting-edge technology with sporting heritage. »
The countdown has begun. On Saturday, June 14th at 16 p.m., when the lights go out at the start of the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans, all eyes will be on the roar of the British V12. And who knows? Perhaps in 2025, Aston Martin will write a new legendary page on the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Patrick Koune
Photos: Aston Martin – Drew Gibson
