Historic first as Aston Martin THOR Team fields Valkyrie hypercars simultaneously in FIA WEC and IMSA championships
6 May 2025 – Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium / Laguna Seca, USA: This weekend marks a watershed moment in Aston Martin’s storied motorsport legacy, as the revolutionary Valkyrie hypercar races on both sides of the Atlantic for the first time. Competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Spa-Francorchamps and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA) at Laguna Seca, the Valkyrie continues to push the boundaries of innovation, endurance, and global performance.
The Aston Martin THOR Team will field three Valkyries in action across two continents: the #007 and #009 in Belgium, and the #23 in California. This unprecedented dual-continent engagement underscores Valkyrie’s unique distinction as the only ‘Le Mans Hypercar’ (LMH) contesting both of endurance racing’s premier series in 2025.
All Eyes on Spa: Valkyrie’s High-Speed Litmus Test
For the WEC arm of the THOR Team, the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa on 10 May presents a critical proving ground. As the final round before next month’s return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Belgian circuit’s fast-flowing nature offers a compelling test of Valkyrie’s high-speed stability and aerodynamic prowess.
British duo Harry Tincknell and Tom Gamble will take the wheel of the #007, while three-time WEC GT champion Marco Sørensen partners with Alex Riberas in the #009. Both cars are fresh from a milestone finish at the 6 Hours of Imola, where Aston Martin THOR achieved its first double-finish, a crucial step forward for the fledgling LMH programme.
“Spa is one of the most iconic tracks in the world,” said Tincknell. “We made progress at Imola, and this weekend is about continuing that momentum and refining our package before the biggest race of the season – Le Mans.”
For Riberas, the opportunity to unleash Valkyrie through Spa’s infamous Eau Rouge and Blanchimont is the stuff of dreams. “It’s a track that’s built for a car like the Valkyrie,” he enthused. “We’re focused on building on what we’ve learned and moving closer to the sharp end.”
Laguna Seca: Another Frontier for the #23 Valkyrie
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Laguna Seca marks another important milestone for the Valkyrie programme. The #23 car, driven by Ross Gunn and Roman De Angelis, will take on the fourth round of the IMSA championship on 11 May, aiming to maintain its 100% points-scoring record after top-ten finishes at Sebring and Long Beach.
These results are more than symbolic – they mark the first points scored by any Aston Martin in IMSA’s GTP class since its modern inception in 2014, and the only results posted by a road-derived LMH vehicle in the category.
“Laguna Seca is such a rewarding track to drive, especially with a machine like Valkyrie,” said Gunn. “We’ve made solid progress, and now we want to convert that into another clean, competitive run.”
De Angelis echoed the excitement: “This is the first ‘normal’ circuit of the season for us – not a street course, not a debut – so we’re focused on extracting the full potential of the car.”
Power and Precision: Valkyrie’s Technological Marvel
Developed by Aston Martin in collaboration with THOR, the Valkyrie LMH remains a marvel of modern engineering. Its competition variant integrates a race-tuned carbon fibre chassis and a reworked 6.5-litre V12 engine capable of revving to 11,000 rpm. While its raw potential exceeds 1,000bhp, current LMH regulations cap output at 500kW (680bhp), ensuring a level playing field while still delivering ferocious performance.
“This weekend is a big test,” said Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport. “The diversity of Spa and Laguna Seca gives us invaluable data. Every lap is another step forward as we prepare for Le Mans.”
Team Principal Ian James added: “Running Valkyrie in both championships this weekend is a huge operational challenge – and a source of immense pride. We’re focused on execution, consistency, and continuing to build a foundation for the future.”
Partner Teams Ready for Battle with Vantage GT3
Alongside Valkyrie’s headline acts, Aston Martin’s Vantage GT3 will also fly the flag at Spa, Laguna Seca, and the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The Heart of Racing and Racing Spirit of Léman return to Spa with renewed determination following a tough outing at Imola, while Darren Turner rejoins THOR for the Laguna Seca GTD class. Walkenhorst Motorsport, meanwhile, looks to build on its recent NLS podium at the ‘Green Hell’.
With a proud history of six class wins and 14 podiums at Spa alone, the Vantage GT3 remains a formidable force in global GT racing – and, like the Valkyrie, continues to embody Aston Martin’s uncompromising pursuit of performance.
As the Valkyrie prepares to carve its name deeper into endurance racing folklore, this weekend serves as both a milestone and a statement: Aston Martin is not just competing on the global stage — it’s redefining it.
