Sebring, USA – March 11, 2025 – The motorsport world is bracing for an electrifying new chapter in Aston Martin’s storied racing history as the British luxury performance brand’s all-new Valkyrie hypercar is set to make its competitive debut at the legendary Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, North America’s most demanding endurance race. This marks a pivotal moment for the brand as Valkyrie enters the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA) for the first time, bringing its cutting-edge technology and blistering V12 power to the world-renowned Sebring circuit.
Valkyrie: A New Era for Aston Martin in IMSA
The Valkyrie hypercar is no stranger to innovation. Aston Martin’s first-ever ‘Le Mans Hypercar’ (LMH) is set to make history as the only car in IMSA’s premier GTP category derived from a road-legal hypercar. Its debut at Sebring is the continuation of an extraordinary season for Aston Martin, with Valkyrie already making its presence felt in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) following a strong debut in Qatar earlier this year. The Valkyrie is unique in that it is the only hypercar racing in both IMSA and WEC in 2025, a testament to Aston Martin’s determination to challenge the world’s top endurance racing series on the global stage.
The Valkyrie race car, developed jointly by Aston Martin and THOR, is a masterclass in motorsport engineering. Built on a carbon fibre chassis and powered by a modified 6.5-litre V12 engine, the Valkyrie is capable of producing over 1000bhp in its standard form, although it is restricted to a 500kW (680bhp) power limit in accordance with hypercar regulations. With a rev limit of 11,000rpm, the Valkyrie’s engine delivers a spine-tingling soundtrack as it tackles the notoriously challenging Sebring circuit.
A Stellar Line-Up of Drivers for Aston Martin THOR Team
Behind the wheel of the #23 Aston Martin Valkyrie will be an international roster of accomplished drivers. Canadian Roman De Angelis, who clinched the IMSA GTD championship in 2022, and Ross Gunn, a regular IMSA race winner and proven competitor in both the GTD and GTD Pro categories, will be contesting the full IMSA season. Both drivers bring extensive experience from Aston Martin’s Race Academy and are no strangers to the challenge of top-tier endurance racing.
Joining them for the Sebring race and the season-ending Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta is Alex Riberas, a Spanish driver with a wealth of IMSA experience and a strong record in the GTD Pro class. Riberas’ full-time 2025 campaign will see him race the Valkyrie in the FIA WEC, but his participation in Sebring adds an invaluable wealth of experience to the team’s formidable line-up.
The Challenge of Sebring
Sebring International Raceway is renowned for its demanding conditions and rough surface, which makes it one of the toughest tests in the endurance racing calendar. The 12-hour race is a true test of both man and machine, with relentless heat, constant driver changes, and the need for impeccable strategy. Valkyrie’s team is ready to rise to the challenge, eager to showcase the raw performance and durability of the hypercar under extreme race conditions.
Ross Gunn, driver for Aston Martin Valkyrie, remarked, “Sebring is always one of the toughest events, but it’s what we’ve trained hard for. It’s incredibly exciting to have the V12 engine going around Sebring, and I can’t wait for what’s sure to be an unforgettable weekend.”
Roman De Angelis echoed this sentiment, saying, “Sebring is such an iconic event, and to race in the top class for the first time is something I could only have dreamed of a couple of years ago. It’s going to be a special weekend.”
Alex Riberas shared his enthusiasm, adding, “The 12 Hours of Sebring is a highlight for our team, and the debut of Valkyrie in North America is a huge milestone for all involved. Sebring is a challenging track, but with such an incredible car, I’m looking forward to what we can achieve.”
Aston Martin’s Return to the Top Level of US Sportscar Racing
The Valkyrie’s entry into IMSA represents a historic return to the top tier of American sportscar racing for Aston Martin, who last competed at this level in 2011. That year, Aston Martin secured five outright victories and seven podiums in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), cementing its reputation in the world of endurance racing. With the Valkyrie, Aston Martin aims to recapture that glory and take the fight to the most formidable competitors in North American motorsport.
Ian James, Team Principal of Aston Martin THOR Team, reflected on the significance of the moment, saying, “IMSA is where The Heart of Racing team has grown into a championship-winning organisation, and joining the top class with Valkyrie is a dream come true. We learned a lot in Qatar, and every race brings us closer to unlocking the full potential of this incredible car.”
A Landmark Moment for Aston Martin Fans
The debut of the Valkyrie in IMSA is a landmark moment for Aston Martin’s dedicated fanbase in North America. With its striking blue livery and distinctive V12 engine note, the Valkyrie is sure to capture the hearts of motorsport fans across the United States. As Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport, put it: “This is a landmark step for the Valkyrie programme. Sebring is one of the toughest tracks, but every lap we complete is an opportunity to learn and improve as we continue to build momentum.”
The Road Ahead for Valkyrie in 2025
Sebring is just the beginning for the Aston Martin Valkyrie in IMSA. As the season unfolds, the Valkyrie will continue to push the boundaries of performance and innovation, with the goal of becoming a dominant force in North American endurance racing. Fans can look forward to thrilling performances from the British hypercar as it takes on the most challenging circuits and battles against the world’s best in the GTP class.
How to Watch the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring
The Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring will begin at 10:10 local time (+5 GMT) on Saturday, 15 March, 2025. The race will be broadcast live globally on IMSA TV, the IMSA YouTube channel, and via selected broadcasters at a national level. Fans of Valkyrie and endurance racing can expect a captivating weekend of motorsport action.
With the Valkyrie set to make its highly anticipated North American debut, it’s clear that Aston Martin is once again asserting itself as a key player in the world of top-tier endurance racing. As the car’s engines roar into life at Sebring, the road to victory is just beginning.
