Aston Martin, in partnership with the Heart of Racing team, has announced its ambitious return to the forefront of endurance racing with two Valkyrie AMR-LMH hypercars slated for the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. This endeavor marks Aston Martin’s determined effort to secure an overall victory at Le Mans for the first time since 1959, reaffirming its legacy in the realm of international sportscar racing.
The decision comes in response to recent regulatory updates by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), mandating a minimum of two cars per manufacturer in the Hypercar class starting from 2025. Aston Martin fully supports these changes, emphasizing its commitment to enhancing the competitive landscape and driving forward the WEC’s hypercar concept.
Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport, expressed pride in the brand’s enduring association with Le Mans, dating back over 95 years. “We are thrilled to bring Aston Martin’s Wings back to the forefront of international sportscar racing,” Carter affirmed. “In 2025, alongside our works partner, the Heart of Racing, we aim to field two Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH hypercars, competing against the world’s best sportscar manufacturers.”
Development of the Valkyrie AMR-LMH is well underway, featuring a race-optimized carbon-fibre chassis and a modified Cosworth-built 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine, delivering over 1000bhp. This powertrain is meticulously tuned to meet the stringent Balance of Performance regulations of the Hypercar class and endure the rigors of top-tier endurance competition. Notably, the race version omits the battery-electric hybrid system found in the road-specification Valkyrie AMR Pro.
Recent evaluations at Aston Martin’s testing facilities in Silverstone and the Portimao circuit have proven integral systems of the Valkyrie AMR-LMH, highlighting the advanced stage of its development. Concurrently, Heart of Racing has established its UK headquarters for the WEC program, reinforcing collaboration with Aston Martin Performance Technologies based at Silverstone.
Looking ahead, Aston Martin and Heart of Racing are preparing for a comprehensive testing phase leading to the car’s planned homologation in the autumn. Additionally, plans include participation in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTP class, underscoring Aston Martin’s global endurance racing presence.
“This new direction in WEC rules necessitated an accelerated timeline for our program,” remarked Ian James, Team Principal of Heart of Racing. “We’re excited to meet the challenge of running multiple cars in the Hypercar class, which has seen remarkable growth and offers exceptional racing and fan engagement.”
Aston Martin’s expanded involvement across sportscar racing—from Hypercar to GT4 categories—solidifies its position as a premier manufacturer in endurance racing. With a storied history at Le Mans and a commitment to innovation, Aston Martin continues to push the boundaries of performance and engineering excellence on the world stage.
