Aston Martin wants to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans outright next year

The British marque will enter two Valkyrie AMR-LMH hypercars in the 2025 World Endurance Championship with The Heart of Racing.

ASTON MARTIN

The World Endurance Championship (WEC) is a series of long-distance motor races organized by the FIA, featuring iconic events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Commonly renowned as the most prestigious motor race ever, Le Mans sees competitors of the highest caliber from the likes of Porsche, Ferrari, Toyota, and now Aston Martin. The 24 Hours of Le Mans epitomizes motorsport's ultimate endurance competition, where teams race continuously for a full day and night around the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe. As Jack Salter said in Gran Turismo, "You podium at Le Mans, and you live forever. You become immortal." The winners of this esteemed race are eternally engraved in the halls of motorsport history as legends.

ASTON MARTIN

Aston Martin has achieved this feat once before. In 1959, the DBR1 gave Aston Martin their maiden and only outright victory at Le Mans. And now, 66 years later, Aston hopes to replicate that success. Then, with the DBR1, and now, with a pair of these wonderful Valkyrie AMR-LMH hypercars.

ASTON MARTIN

ASTON MARTIN

The Valkyrie AMR-LMH hypercar will utilize a modified Cosworth 6.5-liter V12 engine derived from the Valkyrie road car, producing over 1000bhp and revving up to 11,000rpm. These Valkyries are definitely in contention for the best-sounding car at the Circuit de la Sarthe. This power unit is being further developed to meet regulations and endure the demands of high-performance endurance racing. Additionally, the battery-electric hybrid system that features in the production Valkyrie is removed from the race car. Development of the Valkyrie AMR-LMH is well underway, with recent on-track testing conducted at Aston Martin's facilities in Silverstone and the Portimao circuit.

ASTON MARTIN

Adam Carter, Aston Martin's Head of Endurance Motorsport, reminded, "You can trace the roots of Aston Martin’s endurance racing back to the earliest days of the brand. Indeed, we first raced at Le Mans more than 95 years ago." Since then, more than 240 drivers have raced Aston Martins at Le Mans in 27 different chassis and engine combinations. But never at the front. In 2025, Aston Martin will join Ferrari, Porsche, and Lamborghini at the top class of the Endurance Championship.

ADAM CARTER, ASTON MARTIN HEAD OF ENDURANCE MOTORSPORT

IAN JAMES, RACING DRIVER AND PRINCIPAL OF THE HEART OF RACING