Le Mans, France – 10 June 2025
The Aston Martin Valkyrie—arguably the most radical road-derived hypercar of its era—will finally fulfil its destiny this weekend as it takes to the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe for its competitive debut in the world’s most prestigious endurance race: the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans.
More than a race entry, this moment represents a seismic milestone for Aston Martin, a brand whose endurance racing roots stretch back nearly a century. Valkyrie’s presence marks the return of the Wings to the top tier of international endurance competition—and a long-awaited bid for the marque’s first outright victory at Le Mans since Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori triumphed in the DBR1 back in 1959.
Now, with the works-supported Aston Martin THOR Team, two Valkyrie LMH cars will carry the hopes of British motorsport heritage into battle against some of the most formidable names in modern racing.
A Hypercar Born of the Road, Built for the Race
Developed by Aston Martin and The Heart of Racing (THOR), the Valkyrie LMH is unique among its Hypercar rivals. It’s the only Le Mans entry derived from a road-legal production car, retaining its signature naturally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine—albeit in a lean-burn competition-spec version, restricted to 680bhp under LMH regulations. It’s also the only Hypercar set to compete in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
Encased in a carbon-fibre chassis and wearing a special livery adorned with a flowing Union Flag, the THOR-run Valkyries (#007 and #009) signal more than Aston Martin’s technical might—they embody the legacy of British racing excellence.
“Le Mans is the pinnacle of endurance motorsport,” said Adrian Hallmark, Aston Martin’s CEO. “It is only right that the Hypercar field contains an Aston Martin, and one that galvanizes fans across the world. The Valkyrie’s V12 soundtrack echoing down the Mulsanne will be a moment for the ages.”
All-British Heroes and Global Talent
Behind the wheel of Valkyrie #007 is an all-British line-up: Ross Gunn, Harry Tincknell, and Tom Gamble—each bringing a wealth of experience and proven Le Mans pedigree. Gunn and Gamble both make their top-class debut, while Tincknell boasts a 2020 GTE victory and a European Le Mans Series championship.
Valkyrie #009, meanwhile, fields a cosmopolitan trio of endurance stalwarts: Denmark’s Marco Sørensen—three-time WEC GT champion and 2022 Le Mans class winner—teams up with Spain’s Alex Riberas and Canadian Roman De Angelis. Together, they blend consistency, performance, and the kind of grit that endurance racing demands.
From Reliability to Results
Since its debut at the Qatar 1812km earlier this year, the Valkyrie LMH programme has shown steady progress. From its first ten competitive outings across WEC and IMSA, Valkyrie has completed nine races—a testament to both its engineering and the meticulous efforts of the THOR Team.
In the WEC rounds at Imola and Spa-Francorchamps, the #007 car edged closer to points finishes, while its IMSA debut at Sebring saw Valkyrie become the first LMH machine to score points in the American series. These performances set the stage for a bold, if measured, Le Mans debut.
“For Valkyrie’s first 24-hour race, our objective is clear: finish with both cars, and ideally score points,” said THOR team principal Ian James. “We are still unlocking Valkyrie’s potential, but every race builds knowledge, strengthens our systems, and propels the programme forward.”
A Legacy Forged at La Sarthe
Le Mans is not just another stop on the calendar for Aston Martin—it’s sacred ground. The marque first entered in 1928, and throughout the pre-war and post-war years, it amassed class victories and earned its place among the legends. From the 1930s Ulster to the V12-powered DBR9s of the 2000s, to Vantage GTE domination in the modern WEC era, Aston Martin’s story at Le Mans is rich and enduring.
And now, Valkyrie adds a new chapter. It is the 29th different Aston Martin chassis/engine combination to compete at Le Mans—an icon in the making, carrying the weight of history and the fire of future ambition.
Looking Ahead, Racing Hard
While the team enters the weekend with realistic goals, there’s no denying the emotional weight of Valkyrie’s debut. It is a car born of road-going fantasy, honed in the crucible of competition, and now poised to battle for glory on motorsport’s most hallowed stage.
“Aston Martin was born to race,” said Adam Carter, Head of Endurance Motorsport. “And Valkyrie is our ultimate expression of that competitive spirit. Le Mans is where legends are made—and we are here to write a new one.”
As Valkyrie roars into the night under the floodlights of Le Mans, the echoes of Shelby, Salvadori, Moss and Clark resonate once more. Sixty-six years after its last overall triumph, Aston Martin is ready to chase greatness again.
