The new Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH took to the track as part of a rigorous testing programme designed to prepare it for next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, as the British brand hopes to get an outright win at the event for the first time since 1959.

Aston Martin has a 95 year connection with Le Mans, seeing more than 240 drivers in 27 different chassis and engine combinations taking part in the famous race. Next year, however, it will have a unique presence on the grid of the top Hypercar class as the only car to be developed from an existing production-based model - the Aston Martin Valkyrie.

How is it different to the production Valkyrie?

The production model Valkyrie, famously designed by Red Bull’s Adrian Newey and limited to only 150 units, uses a Cosworth-built 6.5 litre naturally aspirated V12 engine, revving to 11,000rpm and developing over 100bhp. Aston Martin Performance Technologies has developed the car alongside The Heart of Racing, modifying that engine and enhancing the power unit to meet Hypercar class performance standards, while also readying it for long-distance competition. It now also has a race optimised carbon fibre chassis.

Three Cars Across Two Competitions

The first announcement surrounding the Valkyrie as a Le Mans Hypercar was in October 2023, with the objective of taking part in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA Sportscar Championship (IMSA) from 2025.

Now we know a bit more and the intention is for works team The Heart of Racing to enter two Valkyrie AMR-LMH contenders in the WEC and one in the IMSA championship. Its debut outing is expected to take place at the 2025 24 Hours of Daytona.

Testing and Future Development Plans

Behind the wheel during testing were Aston’s development driver Darren Turner, The Heart of Racing’s Mario Fernbacher and a man with experience of victory on the famous circuit, 2020 Le Mans LMGTE class winner, Harry Tincknell.

After the initial shakedown, a full development schedule to prepare the car ahead of FIA homologation in the autumn will now commence, moving from the UK to European circuits throughout the remainer of the summer. The Valkyrie AMR-LMH will become the first racing car to be built to Hypercar regulations to contest two different championships, simultaneously.

Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance Motorsport, said: “The Valkyrie AMR-LMH sets its own standard as a thoroughbred endurance competition car. It is a pure, leading edge racing machine, and while it is very early in the testing cycle, from what we have witnessed so far, we are satisfied that it is achieving the targets and criteria we have set out for it to accomplish.”

The Heart of Racing Team Principal Ian James said: “The first runs for the Valkyrie AMR-LMH have been an immensely proud moment in the programme. The birth of this project has been a couple of years in the making, so to get it to the track and to see it going around in the flesh, feels momentous for The Heart of Racing. I believe, from what we have seen so far, and with the DNA of where this car came from, I think we have the right tools to be able to do this successfully.”

Aston Martin in Motorsport

Joining the Hypercar class means that Aston Martin will have a place on the grid in all levels of endurance racing. From 2025, the British brand will also be the only manufacturer competing at all levels of sportscar and GT racing, in addition to Formula 1.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Aston Martin