On Wednesday, Aston Martin declared its intention to enter its Valkyrie hypercar, equipped with a V-12 engine, into both the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
The automaker is developing a Valkyrie model that complies with LMH regulations, thereby qualifying it to participate in both the Hypercar division of the World Endurance Championship and the GTP category of the IMSA SportsCar Championship. These divisions represent the pinnacle of competition within their respective racing series.
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Overview of Aston Martin Vanquish
Aston Martin aims to commence its racing endeavors in 2025, fielding a solitary vehicle in each championship series. In collaboration with its existing endurance racing partner, Heart of Racing, the U.S.-based team will spearhead fundraising efforts for the Seattle Children’s Cardiology Research Fund.
The recent announcement manifests a commitment initially made by Aston Martin in 2019, signifying that the Valkyrie is poised to contend for top honors at eminent races, such as the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Aston Martin is no stranger to victory at Le Mans, having secured a win in 1959 with drivers Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby piloting an Aston Martin DBR1.
Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro’s Role in 2022 Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix
Much of the developmental groundwork for the Valkyrie LMH is already laid out, as the Valkyrie AMR Pro track car, unveiled in 2021, was originally slated to be the LMH race car. Presently, refinement work is in progress to optimize aerodynamics and performance capabilities, ensuring that the vehicle is competitive against rival LMH as well as LMDh vehicles, which also qualify for Hypercar and GTP classes.
Competitors such as Ferrari, Glickenhaus, Peugeot, and Toyota are also fielding LMH vehicles. However, the Valkyrie LMH will stand alone as the only entrant originally designed as a road car. This race-specific Valkyrie will incorporate a distinct chassis, both longer and wider than its road-going counterpart, although it will maintain the road car’s 6.5-liter V-12 engine—albeit with modifications to manage power levels and assure durability over a 24-hour race period.
Starting in 2025, Aston Martin is set to become the sole automaker to compete in Formula 1 while simultaneously vying for championships at the apex of both the World Endurance Championship and IMSA SportsCar Championship. The company also confirmed on Wednesday its intent to continue its existing GT racing program and announced the development of new GT3 and GT4 racing vehicles, based on the forthcoming redesigned Vantage sports car, which is expected to be released later this year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Aston Martin Valkyrie
What racing championships will the Aston Martin Valkyrie participate in?
The Aston Martin Valkyrie is slated to compete in both the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA SportsCar Championship, starting in 2025.
What makes the Valkyrie eligible for these top-tier championships?
The Valkyrie will be built to meet LMH (Le Mans Hypercar) regulations, which qualifies it to participate in the Hypercar class of the World Endurance Championship and the GTP class of the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
Who will Aston Martin partner with for endurance racing?
Aston Martin will collaborate with its existing partner, the U.S.-based Heart of Racing team. The partnership also aims to raise funds for the Seattle Children’s Cardiology Research Fund.
When did Aston Martin first express intentions to race the Valkyrie?
Aston Martin initially announced plans to race the Valkyrie in 2019. The recent announcement confirms their commitment to entering prestigious races like the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
How does the Valkyrie compare to other LMH race cars?
Unlike its competitors such as Ferrari, Glickenhaus, Peugeot, and Toyota, Aston Martin’s Valkyrie LMH started as a road car. It will, however, feature a unique chassis that is both longer and wider than its road car counterpart.
What modifications are planned for the Valkyrie’s V-12 engine?
The 6.5-liter V-12 engine in the Valkyrie LMH will be modified to limit power output and to ensure it can withstand the rigors of a 24-hour race.
Will Aston Martin be involved in other racing championships as well?
Yes, starting in 2025, Aston Martin will be the only automaker competing in Formula 1 while also participating at the top level in the World Endurance Championship and IMSA SportsCar Championship. Aston Martin also confirmed its commitment to continuing its existing GT racing program.
Are there any new racing cars in the pipeline for Aston Martin?
Yes, the automaker has confirmed the development of new GT3 and GT4 race cars based on the redesigned Vantage sports car, which is expected to debut later this year.
More about Aston Martin Valkyrie
- Aston Martin Official Announcement
- FIA World Endurance Championship Website
- IMSA SportsCar Championship Website
- Heart of Racing Team Website
- Seattle Children’s Cardiology Research Fund
- 2022 Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix Overview
- LMH Regulations Explained
- Aston Martin’s Racing History
- Overview of Aston Martin’s GT Racing Program
- Upcoming Aston Martin Vantage Sports Car
10 comments
a V-12 and it started as a road car? they dont make em like this anymore. Hats off to Aston Martin.
So Aston’s gonna be in F1 and endurance racing at the same time? thats ambitious, to say the least.
Great, another gas guzzler on the track. When will these companies get serious bout sustainability?
Heart of Racing and Aston, interesting mix. Raising money for Seattle Children’s Cardiology too, thats some real impact right there.
Aston back in endurance racing, this is epic news!! the Valkyrie is a beast, imagine it against Ferrari and Toyota…
Who else is pumped to see new GT3 and GT4 based on the upcoming Vantage? This brand keeps delivering.
They first talked about it in 2019 and now its happening, finally some good news. Can they match the 1959 Le Mans win though?
A V-12 in a hypercar in 2025? Aston’s either brave or insane, with all the electric trends. but I love it.
Wow, Aston Martin is really going all out huh. Can’t wait to see how the Valkyrie performs on the track. those 24-hour races are no joke!
Wonder how this move will affect Aston Martin’s stock prices. High stakes in multiple championships could be a double-edged sword.