Interlagos, Brazil – 7 July 2025
Aston Martin’s return to top-tier sportscar racing continues to gain momentum as the Aston Martin THOR Team heads to Brazil for the Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo this weekend, marking the first South American outing for the formidable Valkyrie Hypercar in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Following a landmark performance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans—where both Valkyrie entries not only completed the race but secured Aston Martin’s first Manufacturer’s World Championship points in the Hypercar class—the team now sets its sights firmly on a coveted top-ten finish.
The return to WEC’s six-hour race format signals a new phase in the championship, as the calendar shifts into its flyaway leg. For Aston Martin, it represents an opportunity to convert promise into performance and further validate the Valkyrie’s competitive potential in its debut WEC season.
A Unique Contender in a Stacked Field
What sets Valkyrie apart is not only its striking presence and unmistakable V12 howl but also its extraordinary pedigree. Derived from the road-going Valkyrie hypercar, the LMH-spec version is the only entry in the WEC’s Hypercar class to originate from a street-legal vehicle—an audacious fusion of road and race that reflects Aston Martin’s commitment to performance at every level.
More significantly, Valkyrie is the only Hypercar competing simultaneously in the two most prestigious endurance championships on the planet: the FIA World Endurance Championship and North America’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Its adaptability and consistency have already yielded a string of top-10 IMSA finishes, along with a reliability record that belies its rookie status—completing 11 of 12 races across both series.
Now, following the demanding trial-by-fire of Le Mans, the Valkyrie programme enters its next chapter with growing confidence and data-backed progress.
Homegrown Talent, Global Stage
Carrying the torch for the British marque are two all-British talents in the #007 Valkyrie—Tom Gamble and Harry Tincknell—who will both make their Interlagos debut this weekend. They are joined by the seasoned pairing of Marco Sørensen and Alex Riberas in the #009 machine, a duo that brings experience, pace and a deepening understanding of the Valkyrie’s intricacies.
“I’m really looking forward to Brazil,” said Tincknell. “After our strong showing at Le Mans, I believe we’ve turned a corner. Interlagos is a track I’ve always wanted to drive, and now I finally get to do so in the Valkyrie—it’s a real dream come true.”
Teammate Tom Gamble echoed that anticipation: “It’s my first time racing in São Paulo, and I’m excited to see how the car performs on a new circuit. The team’s commitment has been incredible, and I think we can achieve something special this weekend.”
On the #009 side of the garage, the momentum from Le Mans remains palpable. “We’re coming fresh out of Le Mans and now we are in a position to deploy all of the knowledge we gained,” said Sørensen. “The recent resurfacing at Interlagos resets the playing field, and I think we’re well-placed to capitalise.”
Riberas added, “São Paulo is one of my favourite tracks in the world. I can’t wait to feel the Valkyrie through the elevation changes and high-speed sections—it’s going to be epic.”
Le Mans: A Milestone, Not a Peak
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the cornerstone of endurance racing, and Aston Martin’s successful completion of the event with both Valkyrie entries marked a critical milestone—not just for the THOR Team but for the hypercar programme as a whole.
“The nature and length of Le Mans means you learn more about your car than anywhere else,” said Ian James, Team Principal of the Aston Martin THOR Team. “We gathered valuable data, refined our processes, and proved our reliability. That momentum carries into Brazil.”
Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport, reinforced the team’s forward-looking mindset. “The first half of the WEC season has been about laying the groundwork—understanding the car, creating a reliable baseline, and building the infrastructure around the team. As we head into the flyaways, our aim is clear: continued performance progression and solid points finishes.”
The Power Beneath the Pedigree
At the heart of the Valkyrie’s allure lies a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine—race-tuned to comply with the class’s 500kW (680bhp) power cap but originally developed to deliver over 1000bhp in road-going form. This powerplant, combined with a featherweight carbon-fibre chassis and advanced aerodynamic profile, gives Valkyrie a dynamic signature unlike anything else on the grid.
Whether winding through the sweeping turns of Spa, enduring the unrelenting pace of Daytona, or navigating the high-altitude undulations of Interlagos, Valkyrie continues to prove that its dramatic design is more than theatre—it’s a performance tool honed for motorsport’s most challenging environments.
Eyes on Interlagos, and Beyond
As Aston Martin prepares for its Brazilian adventure, the objective is both simple and significant: improve on the achievements of Le Mans, gain further data and experience, and, if the stars align, break into the top ten.
That might seem modest for a brand of Aston Martin’s stature—but this is a programme built on endurance, not entitlement. With every lap, the THOR Team sharpens its understanding, and with every race, Valkyrie edges closer to the front of the Hypercar pack.
In a season defined by ambition and resilience, Interlagos offers another critical proving ground. And for Aston Martin and its unmistakable Valkyrie, it’s a chance to write the next chapter in what is fast becoming one of motorsport’s most compelling comebacks.
