Aston Martin to revive the Valkyrie LMH project and participate in the 2025 World Endurance Championship.
In 2019, Aston Martin unveiled its ambitious project to transform the already exclusive $3 million hypercar, the Valkyrie, into a Le Mans contender. Unfortunately, this endeavor hit a roadblock as changes in regulations by both the FIA and IMSA thwarted the project’s progress. The new rules favored a new category for racing cars, dubbed the LMDh, requiring manufacturers to build one prototype chassis to compete in both racing series — and Aston was simply not ready financially to develop a whole new car for this category.
Still, Aston Martin appears to have recently ignited a spark, hinting at a potential resurrection of its grand ambition to thrust the Valkyrie into the thrilling arena of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The British automaker has also been actively engaging with key suppliers and strategically expanding its team to oversee this audacious endeavor. Notably, one of the notable recruits is Adam Carter, a seasoned Formula 1 engineer with a track record at the renowned Williams Formula 1 team.
That being said, what can we expect from the Le Mans iteration of the Valkyrie? It’s safe to assume that it will bear a strong resemblance to the track-focused AMR Pro variant, although there’s potential for a collaborative effort with Multimatic Motorsport to fine-tune its racing prowess. Under the hood, reports suggest it will retain the awe-inspiring 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine crafted by Cosworth, albeit shedding the hybrid assist system present in its road-going counterpart to shed excess weight.
An Aston Martin spokesperson emphasizes the brand’s profound enthusiasm for the ever-evolving landscape of motorsport. They firmly believe that, as a global hypercar manufacturer, Aston Martin must vigilantly monitor these dynamic developments. Nevertheless, the project’s future remains somewhat uncertain, especially with the introduction of LMP2-based LMDh racing machines in the hypercar division of the WEC. This shift has undoubtedly posed some financial challenges for Aston Martin.
Fortunately, Lawrence Stroll, the astute individual behind the acquisition of the Racing Point Formula 1 team, harbors ambitious aspirations for rekindling the manufacturer’s triumphant return to the prestigious Le Mans racing scene. Such a resurgence would mark Aston Martin’s debut at the highest echelons of motorsport. Moreover, it’s high time we witness the Valkyrie in its natural habitat – the thrilling circuits of competitive racing!
