The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH, a new hypercar developed by Aston Martin Performance Technologies and The Heart of Racing, has hit the track for the first time. This marks the beginning of an extensive testing program as the British ultra-luxury sportscar brand aims to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans outright next year, a feat last achieved in 1959.
The hypercar completed its shakedown and initial evaluation testing in the UK, driven by Aston Martin High Performance development driver Darren Turner, The Heart of Racing’s Mario Farnbacher, and Harry Tincknell, who won the LMGTE class at the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans with Aston Martin.
Comprehensive Development Schedule
Aston Martin and The Heart of Racing will now embark on a full development schedule to prepare the car for FIA homologation in the autumn, with its competitive debut set for early 2025. The Valkyrie AMR-LMH is the first racing car built to Hypercar regulations to compete in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the US-based IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA) simultaneously.
Unique among its competitors, the Valkyrie AMR-LMH is derived from the production-based Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar. The Heart of Racing will enter two Valkyrie AMR-LMH contenders in WEC and a single car in IMSA in 2025.
Technical Specifications
The race-optimized carbon-fiber chassis Valkyrie AMR-LMH features a modified, lean-burning version of the Cosworth-built 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine, which in its standard form revs to 11,000rpm and develops over 1000bhp. This power unit is enhanced to meet the performance requirements of the Hypercar class and is built to endure the rigors of top-level long-distance competition.
Team and Testing Locations
The Heart of Racing has established a UK team headquarters for its WEC program near Silverstone, where the racing cars are being constructed in collaboration with Aston Martin Performance Technologies. The team will oversee the development and testing program of the Valkyrie AMR-LMH, moving from the UK to various European circuits throughout the summer for performance evaluation.
Aston Martin also plans to enter the Valkyrie AMR-LMH in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTP class, operating out of The Heart of Racing’s Phoenix headquarters in North America.
Aston Martin’s Commitment to Endurance Racing
With its entry into the Hypercar class, Aston Martin ensures a strong presence in all aspects of endurance racing, from amateur to the pinnacle of the sport. From 2025, Aston Martin will be the only manufacturer competing at all levels of sportscar and GT racing, as well as in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
Over the past 95 years, more than 240 drivers have raced Aston Martins at Le Mans in 27 different chassis and engine combinations. The brand’s history at Le Mans has been marked by significant success, demonstrating that Aston Martin’s DNA is deeply rooted in competition.
