Aston Martin set to make a triumphant return to the top class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2025 with two Valkyrie AMR-LMH Hypercars
Aston Martin, in collaboration with Heart of Racing, is set to make a triumphant return to the top class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2025 with two Valkyrie AMR-LMH Hypercars. This marks a significant milestone for the prestigious British sports car manufacturer as it aims to clinch an outright victory at the legendary race for the first time since 1959.
Commitment to the FIA World Endurance Championship
Aston Martin plans to field two Valkyrie AMR-LMH Hypercars in all rounds of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), pending the acceptance of their entry. This ambitious move comes in response to a recent regulation change by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), which mandates that each manufacturer must enter a minimum of two cars in the Hypercar class from 2025 onwards.
A Proud Legacy of Endurance Racing
Adam Carter, Aston Martin‘s Head of Endurance Motorsport, emphasized the brand’s deep-rooted history in endurance racing, dating back more than 95 years. “We are very proud of our association with this wonderful event,” he stated, highlighting Aston Martin’s enduring commitment to the WEC’s hypercar concept and its ambition to compete at the forefront of international sports car racing.
The Valkyrie AMR-LMH program is progressing on schedule, with extensive development and testing underway. The car’s track debut is anticipated later this summer, followed by a rigorous testing phase ahead of its planned homologation in the autumn.
The Valkyrie AMR-LMH: A Technical Marvel
The race-optimized Valkyrie AMR-LMH boasts a carbon-fiber chassis and a modified version of the Cosworth-built 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine. This power unit, derived from the Valkyrie road car, is being further enhanced to meet the Balance of Performance requirements of the Hypercar class, ensuring it can endure the rigors of top-level long-distance competition. Unlike the road-specification Valkyrie, the race car will not feature the battery-electric hybrid system, focusing instead on pure, unadulterated performance
Recent on-track evaluations at Aston Martin’s Silverstone testing facility and the Portimao circuit in Portugal have demonstrated promising progress, setting the stage for a formidable entry into the 2025 season.
Heart of Racing: A Vital Partnership
Heart of Racing, Aston Martin‘s works partner, has established a UK team headquarters near Silverstone, where the Valkyrie AMR-LMH cars are being constructed in cooperation with Aston Martin Performance Technologies. This partnership is integral to the success of the Valkyrie AMR-LMH program, bringing together expertise and passion for endurance racing.
In addition to their WEC ambitions, Aston Martin and Heart of Racing are committed to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. They plan to enter the Valkyrie AMR-LMH in the GTP class of the US-based endurance series, operating from Heart of Racing’s Phoenix headquarters.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Ian James, Heart of Racing Team Principal, expressed excitement about the new direction of the WEC ruleset and the opportunity to field multiple cars in the Hypercar class. “We will be proud to be a part of this class, which has seen a meteoric rise in the past couple of years,” he said, emphasizing the immense challenge ahead and the team’s eagerness to compete at the highest level.
Aston Martin’s comprehensive approach to endurance racing, from gentleman drivers to the pinnacle of the sport, underscores its commitment to excellence.
A Legacy Forged in Competition
Aston Martin‘s storied history at Le Mans is unmatched, with more than 240 drivers having competed in 27 different chassis and engine combinations over the past 95 years. The brand’s DNA is indelibly linked to the essence of competition, making its return to Le Mans in 2025 a highly anticipated and significant event in the world of motorsport.
As the Valkyrie AMR-LMH prepares to take on the world’s best at Le Mans and beyond, Aston Martin and Heart of Racing are poised to write a new chapter in their illustrious racing history.