Aston Martin Revives Plans for Le Mans Return with Valkyrie Hypercar
Aston Martin is set to make a comeback in the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours race with a race-spec version of its Valkyrie hypercar in 2025. The British car manufacturer aims to secure its first overall victory at the French classic since 1959. This news comes after Aston Martin had initially announced plans to develop a Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) version of the Valkyrie in 2019, a joint project with Formula 1 team Red Bull Racing. Although the project was put on hold, sources have now confirmed that it has been revived.
The new project will be a partnership between Aston Martin and US-based sports car squad Heart of Racing, which currently competes in the GT class of sports car racing. The collaboration could see Valkyrie LMH cars racing in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and the US-based IMSA championship. While Aston Martin has not officially confirmed the Valkyrie LMH project, the company stated that it is “encouraged” by the growth of the Hypercar division at Le Mans and continues to closely monitor the class as a global hypercar brand.
The LMH rules provide manufacturers with significant flexibility to produce hybrid prototype racers, with Balance of Performance (BoP) rules used to equalize their performance. Notable manufacturers such as Ferrari, Toyota, and Peugeot currently build cars to these rules. Additionally, there is a cost-controlled LMDh category that features entrants like Porsche and Cadillac, utilizing spec chassis and hybrid systems.
Aston Martin chairman Lawrence Stroll expressed his interest in reviving plans to compete in the LMH class of Le Mans earlier this year. During the launch of the Formula 1 team’s AMR22 car, Stroll stated that Aston Martin has ambitions beyond GT racing and intends to return to racing in other categories. He also mentioned that the company’s mid-engined program would be enhanced with the establishment of Aston Martin Performance Technologies as a division of the F1 team.
Aston Martin had initially been positioned as one of the first manufacturers to enter the new Hypercar era, which began in 2020 at Le Mans and in the World Endurance Championship. However, plans based on the Valkyrie were halted following Stroll’s takeover of Aston Martin Lagonda in early 2020. Nevertheless, the two hypercar classes have generated significant interest from manufacturers, with Lamborghini, BMW, Acura (Honda), Alpine, Bentley, and McLaren all working on entries.
When Stroll gives the green light for a Le Mans program, it is expected that Aston Martin will compete in the same LMH class as Toyota, Peugeot, and Ferrari. The car used for this endeavor will be based on the Valkyrie AMR Pro, which is touted as the “ultimate no-rules hypercar.” With a 1000bhp hybrid-enhanced V12 powertrain, the Valkyrie AMR Pro was specifically designed to lap the 8.5-mile Le Mans circuit in 3 minutes and 20 seconds. For reference, last year’s pole position time was 3 minutes and 23.900 seconds.
Aston Martin has a rich history at Le Mans, with numerous class wins in the GT category. However, the company has only achieved one overall victory in 1959 when Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby drove a DBR1 to triumph. With the revival of its Le Mans ambitions and the partnership with Heart of Racing, Aston Martin aims to once again compete for overall victory and add to its legacy at this iconic race.
In conclusion, Aston Martin’s plans for a Le Mans return with the Valkyrie hypercar have been revived. The partnership with Heart of Racing and participation in the LMH class of Le Mans demonstrate Aston Martin’s commitment to motorsport beyond Formula 1 and GT racing. With its rich history and the Valkyrie’s impressive performance capabilities, Aston Martin is poised to make a strong comeback and compete for overall victory at Le Mans in 2025.