Aston Martin Valkyrie, a great endurance progress

From having both cars retire in Qatar, trailing by 23 laps, to now finishing races in the points — Aston Martin and its Valkyrie appear to be making huge strides in the 2025 WEC season.

Back in 2024, we all knew a new manufacturer would be joining the WEC — a prestigious name, no doubt. Perhaps because behind that name lies the vision of legendary car designer Adrian Newey. Maybe even he, when first stepping into his studio to sketch what would become the Aston Martin Valkyrie, didn’t imagine it would one day race in the WEC. After all, it was born as a road car, with a more challenging balance than its rivals, powered by a monstrous V12 engine that screams to 11,000 rpm.

The engine is a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 built by Cosworth, mid-rear mounted, capable of delivering an impressive 1,000 horsepower. With the addition of the electric unit developed by Rimac — positioned between the engine and transmission — the total power output climbs to 1,160 horsepower.

The electric motor releases its power when activated via a steering wheel button, similar to the KERS system used in F1, and recharges through a kinetic generator during braking and coasting. The transmission is a 7-speed sequential gearbox housed in an aluminum casing, which also serves as a structural element for the rear suspension.

The exhaust system is made of Inconel, featuring a dual-catalyst setup per bank in a 6-2-1 configuration, designed to optimize both performance and sound.

Street version VS LMH Aston Martin Valkyrie

To compete in Endurance races like the WEC in Europe and IMSA in America, the road-going Valkyrie underwent several revisions and improvements. The most significant changes were made to the engine. The 6.5-liter Cosworth V12 had its power reduced through the use of air restrictors and flanges, limiting output to 500 kW (680 hp). Additionally, the hybrid powertrain was removed — making it the only car on the grid to run solely on an internal combustion engine. However, this engine has a higher output baseline than its competitors to avoid a heavily penalizing BoP (Balance of Performance).

Other key modifications include the removal of active aerodynamics to comply with LMH regulations. The weight was further reduced by eliminating non-essential features such as infotainment systems and air conditioning. Carbon brakes and advanced safety systems were added. The suspension setup is adjustable to suit different track conditions, ensuring optimal performance in all racing scenarios.

Race Progress

The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH made an impressive debut in the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship, demonstrating rapid development by the Heart of Racing team. After a tough start with a 17th-place finish and a retirement due to transmission issues at the Qatar 1812 km, the Valkyrie steadily gained reliability. Finishing strong at Imola and running competitively in the points at Spa before a late fuel stop. The highlight came at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Both #007 and #009 cars completed the race flawlessly, qualified for Hyperpole, and marked Aston Martin’s first top-class Le Mans entry since 1959.

In IMSA, the team earned valuable points by midseason, showcasing the 6.5-liter V12’s power and consistent top-10 finishes—including a 6th place at Road America—solidifying the Valkyrie’s transformation from a backmarker to a serious contender through engineering excellence and team determination.

Final push for the Aston Martin Valkyrie in the 2025 WEC and IMSA

The Aston Martin Valkyrie, entered by Team Hearth of racing, is ready to take on the final three rounds of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship:

• September 7 – Lone Star Le Mans, Circuit of the Americas (Austin, USA)
• September 28 – 6 Hours of Fuji, Fuji Speedway (Japan)
• November 8 – 8 Hours of Bahrain, Bahrain International Circuit (Sakhir)

The British squad aims to build on the progress shown at Le Mans and finish the season with even stronger results.

For other Endurance News visit https://www.fiawec.com/en/race/show/4930