Aston Martin has hit a significant milestone in its motorsport journey with the on-track debut of the Valkyrie AMR-LMH hypercar, as they gear up for a return to the pinnacle of endurance racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2025. The new hypercar, developed in collaboration with The Heart of Racing, successfully completed its initial shakedown and testing sessions in the UK. This marks the beginning of a comprehensive development programme that will see the car undergo rigorous testing across multiple circuits.
The Valkyrie AMR-LMH, a unique creation built on the foundation of the road-going Aston Martin Valkyrie, is set to compete in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA) simultaneously. The car is powered by a heavily modified 6.5-litre Cosworth-built V12 engine, delivering over 1000 BHP and designed to withstand the demands of long-distance racing. This dual-category entry positions Aston Martin uniquely as the only manufacturer to participate across all levels of sportscar and GT racing, as well as Formula 1, from 2025 onwards.
Heading the testing efforts, Darren Turner along with Mario Farnbacher and Harry Tincknell, have laid a solid foundation for the car's performance evaluations. Adam Carter, Aston Martin's Head of Endurance Motorsport, expressed confidence in the early progress, noting that the car is meeting the team's rigorous targets. As development continues, the team will shift its focus to European circuits for detailed performance assessments, with the aim of securing FIA homologation later this year. The anticipation surrounding the Valkyrie AMR-LMH highlights Aston Martin's deep commitment to endurance racing, setting a promising stage for their ambitious 2025 campaign.
📷: ASTON MARTIN