Sebring, USA – March 16, 2025 – The Aston Martin Valkyrie marked a milestone moment in motorsport history by securing a points finish in its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut at the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring. The #23 Aston Martin THOR Team Valkyrie, piloted by Ross Gunn, Roman De Angelis, and Alex Riberas, crossed the finish line in ninth place, making it the first GTP class car derived from a road-legal hypercar to achieve such a feat in top-level endurance racing.
This achievement underscores the Valkyrie’s growing competitive credentials as it becomes the only hypercar to contest both IMSA and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2025. Just two weeks after completing its maiden WEC outing at the Qatar 1812km, the Valkyrie tackled one of the toughest circuits in the world, demonstrating both endurance and potential against a field of seasoned competitors.
A Gritty Performance on a Grueling Circuit
Renowned for its punishing bumps and demanding layout, Sebring International Raceway has long been a proving ground for endurance racing machinery. The Valkyrie, which qualified 12th, showcased its resilience and racecraft by climbing as high as sixth before securing its top-ten finish. Competing against cars with years of IMSA development, the Valkyrie proved its mettle, highlighting the promising trajectory of Aston Martin’s hypercar program.
“This was a satisfying performance from Valkyrie and wholly underlines the good progress the program is making with every lap we complete,” said Aston Martin Head of Endurance, Adam Carter. “Sebring is an ultimate test for any race car, let alone a new hypercar. We have learned a huge amount, and we’re excited to take this data forward to the next round at Long Beach.”
The Valkyrie, developed in collaboration with THOR, is based on Aston Martin’s production hypercar. Featuring a race-optimized carbon-fiber chassis and a modified 6.5-liter V12 engine that revs to 11,000 rpm, the Valkyrie produces over 1000 bhp in its standard form. However, in compliance with hypercar regulations, it adheres to a strict 500kW (680bhp) power limit, ensuring competitive parity.
Drivers Reflect on a Landmark Achievement
Ross Gunn, who drove crucial stints in the race, praised the team’s effort: “It was an absolutely awesome job by everyone in the team to get to the end of what is probably the toughest race in the world. We overcame some obstacles and handled them well. Alex and Roman put in solid stints, and we managed to stay out of trouble.”
De Angelis echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the physical toll of the race: “It’s one of the hardest races I’ve had. It was super physical out there, but I am so proud of The Heart of Racing and Aston Martin for getting the Valkyrie across the line.”
For Riberas, the top-ten finish exceeded expectations: “We knew Sebring would be one of our toughest challenges, but we never imagined finishing inside the top ten. This is just the beginning of what we can achieve.”
Partner Team News: Vantage GT3 Secures GTD Class Podium
While the Valkyrie made headlines in GTP, Aston Martin’s Vantage GT3 also delivered an outstanding performance in the GTD class. The Heart of Racing’s #27 Vantage, driven by Tom Gamble, Zacharie Robichon, and Casper Stevenson, secured a third-place finish in a hard-fought endurance classic.
After qualifying sixth, Robichon quickly moved into contention, with the team navigating setbacks—including a sensor issue and an untimely spin—to remain in the hunt. A dramatic final stint by Gamble saw the team rise from seventh to third, capping off an impressive recovery drive.
“The guys in the #27 Vantage did an awesome job,” said THOR Team Principal Ian James. “We had challenges, but a great team finds ways to bounce back. Two podiums in a row put us right in the IMSA GTD championship fight.”
With this latest result, The Heart of Racing continues its strong form at Sebring, securing its third GTD podium in five years. The team now looks ahead to the next round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Long Beach on April 11-12, where both the Valkyrie and Vantage will aim to build on their momentum.
Looking Ahead
Aston Martin’s return to top-flight North American endurance racing is off to a promising start. With the Valkyrie proving its durability and pace at Sebring, and the Vantage GT3 remaining a force in the GTD class, the British marque is poised for a strong campaign in both IMSA and WEC.
As the team continues its development, all eyes will be on Long Beach, where the Valkyrie will look to take another step forward in its pursuit of endurance racing glory.
