In 2025, Aston Martin and the works team Heart of Racing will confidently re-enter the top class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with two Valkyrie AMR-LMH hypercars. The ultra-luxury British sports car brand is determined to secure a victory in the renowned race for the first time since 1959.
Aston Martin is set to enter two Valkyrie AMR-LMH hypercars in all rounds of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship, in response to the newly implemented rule that mandates manufacturers to field a minimum of two cars in the Hypercar class. This development was confirmed during the official press conference preceding this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
Aston Martin and its works partner Heart of Racing are delighted to support this change in the regulations, in the interests of working together to improve the sporting environment for the benefit of all. Aston Martin will continue to work closely with both organisations moving forward and through the duration of the Valkyrie AMR-LMH programme.
Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance Motorsport, said: “Aston Martin has a rich history in endurance racing, including participation in Le Mans over 95 years ago. In 2025, we plan to enter two Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH hypercars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Our team is dedicated to bringing our famous Wings back to the forefront of international sportscar racing. The Valkyrie AMR-LMH program is progressing well, with the car’s track debut scheduled for later this summer, followed by extensive testing ahead of its planned homologation in the autumn.”
The race-optimized carbon-fibre chassis Valkyrie AMR-LMH will utilize a modified version of the sensational Cosworth-built 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine originally produced for the Valkyrie road car. This powerhouse is being enhanced further to incorporate the critical Balance of Performance requirements of the Hypercar class and developed to withstand the rigors of top-level long-distance competition. As with the Valkyrie AMR Pro track car, the battery-electric hybrid system featured on the road-specification Valkyrie is absent from the race car.
Development of the Valkyrie AMR-LMH is well advanced, with recent on-track evaluation of integral systems at Aston Martin’s Silverstone testing facility and the Portimao circuit in Portugal.
The Heart of Racing has set up a UK team headquarters near the racing car construction site in collaboration with Aston Martin Performance Technologies at Silverstone. Aston Martin Performance Technologies is overseeing the design and development of the Valkyrie AMR-LMH.
Aston Martin with Heart of Racing is set to conquer the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar GTP class with the Valkyrie AMR-LMH, operating from Heart of Racing’s Phoenix HQ in North America.
“With this new direction of the WEC ruleset we have had to bring forward our plans to run multiple cars in the WEC Hypercar class. This has obviously condensed our build-up process, but we are very excited about the prospect of having two cars in the field. We will be proud to be a part of this class, which has seen a meteoric rise in the past couple of years, and offers amazing racing and fan interaction. The challenge ahead is immense, and we are looking forward to the journey.” said Heart of Racing Team Principal Ian James.
Starting in 2025, Aston Martin will be the sole manufacturer competing in all levels of sportscar and GT racing, from Hypercar to GT4, as well as the FIA Formula 1® World Championship.
Over the past 95 years, at Le Mans, more than 240 drivers have expertly raced Aston Martins in 27 different chassis and engine combinations, showcasing the unwavering competitive DNA that defines our legacy.
- For more on this along with other Aston Martin Racing projects, click HERE to visit the Aston Martin Racing website.
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