Road Atlanta, GA – 12 October 2025 — Aston Martin’s Valkyrie Hypercar delivered a historic performance at the Motul Petit Le Mans, securing its maiden podium in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. In a race defined by ten hours of relentless endurance and strategic mastery, the Aston Martin THOR Team crossed the line in second place—marking the Valkyrie’s best-ever result in global competition and Aston Martin’s first outright IMSA podium.
The achievement crowns an exceptional debut season for the Valkyrie, which has completed every race across eight of North America’s most iconic circuits and finished inside the top ten on seven occasions. More than just a technical feat, this podium marks a symbolic victory: the Valkyrie is the only hypercar derived directly from a road-going production model competing at the pinnacle of international sportscar racing, both in IMSA and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
A New Era for Aston Martin Performance
At Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, the no. 1 Valkyrie embodied the brand’s dual DNA—uncompromising luxury and race-bred precision. Piloted by Aston Martin works drivers Ross Gunn (GBR), Roman De Angelis (CAN), and Alex Riberas (SPA), the THOR Team maintained a consistent presence near the front of the fiercely competitive GTP field.
Momentum began building earlier in the week, when De Angelis topped the night practice session—Valkyrie’s first time leading an official IMSA classification. Gunn followed with a strong fifth-place qualifying effort, setting the tone for what would become a breakout weekend.
As the race unfolded, the trio’s pace and precision were matched by a flawless team strategy. Smart pit calls and exceptional execution from the THOR engineers kept the Valkyrie in contention throughout, with Riberas and Gunn managing tire degradation and traffic with calm authority.
The turning point came with just under two hours remaining. A decisive late pitstop allowed De Angelis to unleash the Valkyrie’s full potential, attacking on fresh tires and maximum power allocation. Despite briefly falling to seventh, he charged through the field, regaining ground as rivals made final fuel stops. With less than ten minutes on the clock, De Angelis reclaimed second place—crossing the finish line only six seconds adrift of victory.
Engineering the Impossible
The Valkyrie represents the purest link between Aston Martin’s road and race engineering. Developed jointly by Aston Martin and the THOR Team, it retains the essence of the production hypercar—a lightweight carbon-fibre chassis and naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine that revs to 11,000rpm—while conforming to the 500kW (680bhp) regulatory cap of the hypercar class.
This extraordinary fusion of artistry and endurance has elevated Aston Martin back into the top tier of American sportscar racing for the first time since 2011, reviving the brand’s legacy of performance with a modern, hybrid-era interpretation of power and elegance.
Drivers Reflect on a Defining Moment
“This result means so much for Aston Martin, for The Heart of Racing, and for everyone behind the Valkyrie project,” said Alex Riberas. “It’s not just about finishing second—it’s about proving that the Valkyrie belongs at the front of world endurance racing. Today’s strategy was bold but brilliantly executed. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Ross Gunn echoed the sentiment: “To think that we started the year focused on reliability and end the season with a podium at Petit Le Mans—it’s a huge achievement. This is a new car concept, and we’ve learned so much. By the end of the year, we were fighting for results that once seemed out of reach.”
For Roman De Angelis, who brought the car home after an inspired final stint, the emotion was palpable. “Last year, I stood on the GTD podium here with this team. To step up to the GTP class and achieve this with Valkyrie is incredible. We’ve had ups and downs this year, but this result shows how far we’ve come. It’s the perfect way to end the season.”
A Statement of Intent for 2026
Team Principal Ian James hailed the result as the culmination of collective effort: “To finish second at Petit Le Mans is a testament to everyone’s dedication—from the engineers in the UK to the THOR crew here in the U.S. The execution was perfect, and the drivers were outstanding. This podium is the foundation for an even stronger 2026.”
Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport, Adam Carter, shared that optimism: “Our aim was to finish the IMSA season on a high, and we’ve achieved exactly that. To take a podium on outright pace, not through circumstance, validates the Valkyrie concept and everyone’s hard work. It’s a milestone we can all be proud of.”
From Road to Racetrack and Beyond
With more than 4,300 miles of hard racing completed in its inaugural IMSA campaign, the Valkyrie has proven both its reliability and competitive potential against purpose-built prototypes. As it transitions into its sophomore season, beginning at Daytona in January, the Valkyrie stands as a symbol of Aston Martin’s evolving motorsport philosophy—a machine that bridges the gap between road-going hypercar and full-fledged endurance racer.
In achieving its first podium at Petit Le Mans, the Valkyrie has done more than make history—it has reaffirmed Aston Martin’s place among the elite of world motorsport, and hinted at an even faster, fiercer future to come.
