Lusail, Qatar – 1 March 2025 – The Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar has officially commenced its highly anticipated journey in endurance racing, making a formidable debut in the opening round of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the Qatar 1812km. Despite a challenging first outing, the race marked a crucial milestone for the British manufacturer’s latest motorsport endeavour, providing valuable insights into the car’s performance and development potential.
The #009 Valkyrie, fielded by the Aston Martin THOR Team and piloted by triple FIA WEC champion Marco Sørensen (DEN), IMSA GTD Pro winner Alex Riberas (ESP), and former IMSA GTD champion Roman De Angelis (CDN), completed 295 laps to finish in 17th position after a grueling 10-hour contest at Lusail International Circuit. While a points finish remained elusive, the Valkyrie demonstrated impressive race pace, particularly during key stints.
A Steep Learning Curve with Encouraging Signs
Aston Martin’s endurance racing division approached the weekend with measured expectations, fully aware that the Qatar 1812km would be a pivotal learning opportunity.
“We knew this was going to be a ‘learning weekend’ for Valkyrie,” said Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance. “We encountered some teething issues as expected in a new racing program, but the race pace shown by both cars was encouraging. We’ve gathered a huge amount of data that will be instrumental as we prepare for Valkyrie’s next challenge in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Sebring.”
The Valkyrie’s competitive promise was evident from the early stages, keeping pace with the Hypercar class contenders. Despite facing setbacks—including a mid-race pit stop for the #009 to replace a missing door and a retirement for the #007 due to a transmission issue—both cars demonstrated raw speed comparable to front-runners.
A Testament to Aston Martin’s Motorsport Legacy
The Aston Martin Valkyrie is the first road-derived Hypercar to compete in the WEC’s premier category. Developed in collaboration with Aston Martin Performance Technologies and The Heart of Racing, the car is engineered from the Valkyrie production model, featuring a race-optimised carbon fibre chassis and a Cosworth-developed 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine. While capable of producing over 1,000 bhp in standard form, the Valkyrie adheres to the FIA’s hypercar regulations, capped at 680 bhp.
“This first race was always going to be tough,” noted Aston Martin THOR Team Principal Ian James. “The team has worked exceptionally hard, and we saw glimpses of the Valkyrie’s true potential. We believe we can challenge the established front-runners as we gain more experience and refine our race package.”
Drivers Reflect on a Defining Moment
For the drivers, the debut was a mix of challenges and optimism.
- Harry Tincknell (#007): “We’ve learned an incredible amount this weekend. Our race pace was competitive, especially in the night stints, and that’s a huge positive.”
- Tom Gamble (#007): “It’s been a rollercoaster weekend, but learning is key. We’ve taken crucial steps forward ahead of Imola and Sebring.”
- Ross Gunn (#007): “We gathered invaluable mileage and fine-tuned tyre strategies. There’s a long road ahead, but the potential is immense.”
- Marco Sørensen (#009): “Finishing the first race was a special moment. There’s still a lot to refine, but we’re making progress every session.”
- Alex Riberas (#009): “The main goal was to bring the car home and we achieved that. This is just the beginning.”
- Roman De Angelis (#009): “Crossing the finish line was an emotional moment. There’s so much to look forward to in this programme.”
Looking Ahead: The Road to Glory
With its maiden WEC outing now behind it, the Valkyrie is set to make its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring in two weeks’ time, before returning to WEC action at the legendary Imola circuit. As the team refines its setup and learns from the Qatar experience, anticipation is building for the next chapter in Aston Martin’s endurance racing journey.
Vantage Secures Double Points Finish in WEC Opener
In a parallel success story for Aston Martin, the Vantage GT3 delivered a strong showing in the Qatar 1812km. The Heart of Racing’s #27 Vantage, led by Ian James, was a contender for victory before a pit stop penalty hampered its podium chances, eventually finishing sixth. Meanwhile, Racing Spirit of Léman’s #10 Vantage secured a respectable ninth place finish, ensuring a strong start to Aston Martin’s WEC GT3 campaign.
As the 2025 WEC season gains momentum, Aston Martin’s endurance racing programme is poised for an exhilarating year ahead. With the Valkyrie’s promising debut setting the stage, the pursuit of endurance racing glory is only just beginning.
