Aston Martin Valkyrie Set for Historic Debut at FIA WEC Season Opener in Qatar

The Aston Martin Valkyrie is set to debut at the 2025 FIA WEC season opener in Qatar. This hypercar is the first from Aston Martin designed for competitive racing and aims to secure significant victories in both the WEC and IMSA. The team features a mix of experienced and emerging drivers eager to make an impact this season.

The Aston Martin Valkyrie will make its much-anticipated global debut at the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season opener, the Qatar 1812km, held at the Lusail International Circuit this upcoming weekend. As the first ‘Le Mans Hypercar’ produced by Aston Martin, the Valkyrie represents the only road-derived hypercar participating in both the WEC and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This historic season marks significantly Aston Martin’s return to the top class of endurance racing, aiming for its first overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1959.

Aston Martin’s Valkyrie features a race-optimized carbon fiber chassis and a modified 6.5-liter V12 engine, capable of producing over 1000bhp while adhering to hypercar regulations. This entry into competitive racing is backed by the Aston Martin THOR Team, which is keen on reclaiming its position at prestigious endurance events. Notably, the team comprises an experienced driver roster blending seasoned professionals and rising stars.

The 007 Valkyrie will be driven by Harry Tincknell and Tom Gamble, while Ross Gunn will participate in select endurance races. The sister 009 Valkyrie will feature Marco Sørensen, Alex Riberas, and Roman De Angelis. Together, the teams aim to learn and adapt quickly to the competitive landscape while striving for strong results in their inaugural race.

Harry Tincknell, speaking about the upcoming competition, expressed excitement about the Valkyrie’s debut, emphasizing the hard work that has gone into the program. He noted, “We’re starting two or three years behind our competition, so the learning curve is going to be steep.” Similarly, Tom Gamble noted the significance of participating in such an extraordinary project and the team’s commitment to challenge for solid results.

Team Principal Ian James remarked on the importance of this moment for Aston Martin, highlighting their goal to improve consistently this season. Adam Carter, head of endurance motorsport at Aston Martin, praised the Valkyrie as a milestone in automotive history and emphasized their competitive spirit and ambition within the high-stakes realm of endurance racing.

Aston Martin’s Valkyrie hypercar prepares for an exciting debut in the FIA WEC, competing against formidable opponents with a focus on learning and improvement. This marks a significant return for Aston Martin to elite racing since 1989 and presents a unique opportunity to achieve historical victories, with a well-rounded, talented driver line-up set to take on this challenge. The Valkyrie’s performance and evolution throughout the season will be closely watched as Aston Martin seeks to carve out its legacy in endurance racing.

Original Source: www.astonmartin.com