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Aston Martin is making significant strides in its return to Le Mans and high-profile endurance racing, as evidenced by the recent testing of the Valkyrie AMR-LMH at Silverstone and Donington Park. The car appears very much like an enhanced version of the Valkyrie road model, featuring improved aerodynamics—a fitting design for a Le Mans Hypercar.
When the new Hypercar regulations were announced in 2018, it was intended that prototype race cars would have a more tangible connection to production models like the Valkyrie. Aston Martin was among the first manufacturers to support the initiative. However, as the regulations were finalized, this connection became less clear. Consequently, most Hypercars that participated in last month’s Le Mans have no direct link to any production vehicles. Notably, Toyota had plans for a road version of its GR010 Hybrid, but that project was unexpectedly halted. On the other hand, Ferrari seems to be integrating features from its two-time Le Mans champion, the 499P, into its upcoming flagship model.
With the altered regulations leading Aston Martin to withdraw from prototype competition, the brand redirected its focus towards GT racing with the Vantage—a practice it has maintained for many years. The shift also aligned with Aston Martin’s increased involvement in Formula 1, making it challenging to allocate resources to racing the Valkyrie. Nevertheless, the company is now back in the game, and the Hypercar is performing impressively during tests.
Aston Martin’s test driver, Darren Turner, recently collaborated with The Heart of Racing’s Mario Farnbacher and Harry Tincknell to evaluate the AMR-LMH in the UK. The Heart of Racing is Aston’s partner in both its GT and Hypercar ventures, and together they are advancing a comprehensive development plan to prepare for FIA homologation in the fall, ahead of the car’s competitive debut in early 2025 in both the World Endurance Championship and IMSA. Fans across the globe will have the chance to witness and hear the roar of its 6.5-liter Cosworth-built V12 in action. Indeed, we are in an exciting era for endurance racing..
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