Bahrain, 3 November 2025 – The Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar will bring its groundbreaking debut season to a spectacular close this weekend at the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Bapco Energies 8 Hours of Bahrain (Saturday, 8 November). Piloted by the works Aston Martin THOR Team, the Valkyrie has already made history as the only car to contest both the world’s premier sportscar series – WEC and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship – in the same season.
Developed from the production Valkyrie, the competition version marries a race-optimised carbon fibre chassis with a 6.5-litre V12 powerplant that revs to 11,000rpm. While the hypercar is capable of over 1,000bhp in standard form, it runs within the 500kW (680bhp) limit mandated by LMH regulations. The result is a hypercar that is both breathtakingly fast and uniquely tied to its road-going origins.
A Season of Rapid Progress
Since making its global debut at the Qatar 1812km in February, the Valkyrie programme has steadily grown in competitiveness across nearly 22,000 racing miles and seven WEC rounds, including the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. September proved particularly strong for the British hypercar, with a fifth-place finish at the 6 Hours of Fuji following a fourth-place run in rain-affected conditions at Austin. The momentum continued in North America, where Valkyrie secured its first podium in global competition at the 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, narrowly missing out on victory by just five seconds.
“The competition in WEC and IMSA is extremely high, full of talent and well-established programmes,” said Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance Motorsport. “Our first season with Valkyrie has been immensely encouraging, and achieving a top-five finish at Fuji demonstrates the progress we’ve made. We’re still at the beginning of the learning curve, but the trajectory is clear.”
Driver Line-Up Ready for Bahrain Challenge
The eight-hour Bahrain race requires each car to be shared by three drivers. Ross Gunn rejoins Harry Tincknell and Tom Gamble in the #007 Valkyrie, while Roman De Angelis teams up with Alex Riberas and three-time WEC GT champion Marco Sørensen in the #009 entry. The line-up combines experienced Hypercar hands with drivers who have grown in confidence alongside the car throughout the season.
“Bahrain is always a special place to end the season,” said Ross Gunn. “Tyre degradation is huge here, so our work understanding the car will be key. Our aim is a double points finish and to end the season on a high.”
Rookie Test Opportunity for Mattia Drudi
Adding to the weekend’s excitement, Aston Martin works driver Mattia Drudi will take part in the official WEC Rookie Test on Sunday, driving the Valkyrie for the first time. Drudi, who has delivered standout performances in LMGT3 – including pole position at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans – will experience the hypercar immediately after the season finale, offering valuable insights for both himself and the team.
“Driving a car that has already made its mark in the Hypercar Class is incredibly exciting,” said Drudi. “It will be a challenge to adapt to something new, but I can’t wait to experience it firsthand and compare my data with what the team has gathered.”
Looking Ahead
For the Aston Martin THOR Team, the Bahrain finale represents both a celebration of an exceptional debut season and a foundation for the future. The combination of the Valkyrie’s V12 power, rapid development, and world-class driver talent has ensured that Aston Martin leaves its first year in the Hypercar class with momentum, knowledge, and ambition for 2026.
“This has been a strong first season for Aston Martin THOR Team,” said Team Principal Ian James. “The reception from fans has been phenomenal, and it’s been fantastic to compete in the Hypercar class. Bahrain will be the perfect conclusion to 2025 and a springboard into the next season.”
