The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH is set to make its much-anticipated global race WEC debut at the Qatar 1812 km season opener scheduled for February 28, 2025.
The exciting development marks a significant milestone for Aston Martin Racing as it re-enters the world of top-level endurance racing with a hypercar that promises to deliver both performance and innovation.
The Valkyrie AMR-LMH which has been developed under the LMH (Le Mans Hypercar) regulations will also compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship showcasing its versatility across two prestigious racing formats.
The decision to debut the Valkyrie AMR-LMH in Qatar comes after extensive testing and development, which has seen the car cover over 12,500 kilometers (approximately 7,700 miles) in various conditions.
The rigorous testing regime included recent Michelin tire tests in Bahrain and an IMSA-sanctioned test at Daytona International Speedway.
Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport Adam Carter expressed confidence in the car’s readiness, stating that it has met all objectives and benchmarks set during its development phase.
“We are reaching a critical juncture in the development of the Aston Martin Valkyrie, and to this point the car has passed all of the objectives and benchmarks we have set for it,” said Carter.
However, he acknowledged that transitioning from testing to WEC debut presents new challenges, particularly given the fierce competition within the Hypercar class.
He added: “Testing is one thing however, going racing quite another and we do not underestimate the formidable line-up of world class competition in the WEC Hypercar class and in IMSA’s GTP category.”
Aston Martin has chosen to skip the Rolex 24 at Daytona in favor of additional development time for the Valkyrie AMR-LMH. This strategic decision underscores their commitment to ensuring that the car is fully prepared for its competitive WEC debut.
The team will be fielding two race cars under a new partnership known as Aston Martin Thor, collaborating with Heart of Racing, a US-based team with a successful history in GT3 racing.
READ ALSO: Heart of Racing confirms Aston Martin Valkyrie Hypercar project for 2025 WEC
Aston Martin Thor has also confirmed Alex Riberas and Harry Tincknell as the initial drivers for the Valkyrie AMR-LMH program. Both drivers bring a wealth of experience and success in endurance racing.
Riberas has previously competed in both the SportsCar Championship and World Endurance Championship, achieving notable victories in GT3 events while Tincknell is also well-versed in endurance racing, having driven for teams like Ford and Nissan in previous WEC seasons.
The Valkyrie AMR-LMH represents a significant evolution from its road-going counterpart, the Aston Martin Valkyrie. While retaining the iconic 6.5-liter V12 engine, modifications have been made to ensure compliance with Balance of Performance regulations and durability for endurance races.
Notably, the hybrid system found in the road car will be omitted from the race version to enhance performance and reliability during long-distance races.
As part of its strategy for success in endurance racing ahead of its 2025 FIA WEC debut, Aston Martin aims not only to compete but to contend for victories at prestigious events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The last time Aston Martin achieved outright victory at Le Mans was in 1959 with the DBR1, a feat that remains a significant part of its racing heritage. The Valkyrie AMR-LMH is poised to revive this legacy as it competes against formidable rivals in both WEC and IMSA.
READ MORE: Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH makes track debut at Silverstone ahead of 2025
