Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH: The road car reborn for Le Mans glory

The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH marks a historic return to the pinnacle of endurance racing for one of motorsport’s most storied marques. But its journey to Le Mans 2025 has been anything but straightforward.

Initially unveiled in 2019 as a headline entry for the new Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Valkyrie programme was abruptly paused in 2020. Financial pressures, leadership changes, and shifting priorities, including Aston Martin’s entry into Formula 1, meant the ambitious project was placed on hold. For several years, the Valkyrie’s racing ambitions hung in the balance.

However, renewed commitment from Aston Martin Performance Technologies, in partnership with The Heart of Racing (THOR), saw the Valkyrie revived in 2024. In an almost mythological twist of fate, THOR, named for the Norse god of thunder, now combines forces with the Valkyrie, named after the mythical warrior women who chose those worthy of glory in battle. The pairing feels destined, merging thunderous ambition with a car born for modern-day motorsport Valhalla.

Fast-forward to June 2025, and the car stands poised to compete not just in Le Mans, but simultaneously in both the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and North America’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Born from road ambition

Unlike other Hypercars designed specifically for racing, the Valkyrie AMR-LMH originates from a road-going hypercar. More precisely, it’s born from from its radical track variant: the Valkyrie AMR Pro. Conceived by legendary Formula 1 aerodynamicist Adrian Newey and Aston Martin Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman, the road-going Valkyrie pushed boundaries with a breathtakingly aerodynamic form, advanced carbon fibre construction, and extreme performance from its naturally aspirated V12 engine.

The AMR Pro track car added to that with a longer wheelbase, wider track, aggressive fixed aero, reduced weight, and the complete removal of the hybrid system. These modifications transformed the concept into a no-compromise machine optimised purely for performance, and laying the foundation for the Valkyrie’s Le Mans campaign.

Taking this innovative base into racing required significant adaptation. The road car’s carbon fibre monocoque — a single-piece lightweight structure providing superior strength and stiffness — was retained but substantially redesigned to accommodate endurance racing demands. Modifications included reinforced safety structures compliant with FIA rules, quick-change front and rear body panels, integrated pneumatic jacks for rapid tyre changes, and a centralised refuelling system for faster pit stops.

Heart of the Beast: Cosworth’s screaming V12

More than a decade after the thunderous V12 of the Aston Martin DBR1-2 last echoed through La Sarthe, the Valkyrie brings the twelve-cylinder symphony back to Le Mans in spectacular fashion.

Where the DBR1-2 relied on a race-tuned version of Aston’s production-based V12, the Valkyrie elevates the formula with a bespoke 6.5-litre naturally aspirated Cosworth masterpiece. In its road-going form, this engine generates over 1000 horsepower, revving as high as 11,000 rpm. For endurance racing, the engine’s output is strictly regulated, capped at 500 kilowatts (approximately 680 horsepower).

To achieve greater reliability and fuel efficiency — critical for success in endurance racing — the engine has been detuned from its peak output. Aston Martin engineers adopted a lean-burn strategy, which involves running the engine with a carefully controlled air-to-fuel ratio to maximise fuel economy and minimise wear. The Valkyrie also operates at reduced revs to lower frictional losses, improving reliability and extending the engine’s endurance capabilities.

Unlike the road-going Valkyrie, which features a rear-axle hybrid system to boost performance and drivability, the Valkyrie AMR-LMH runs without any form of hybrid assistance. LMH regulations only permit hybrid systems that power the front axle, which would have required a completely different layout from the road car. Since the AMR Pro track car was already designed without hybrid power, it provided an ideal foundation for the race car, avoiding major structural changes staying true to the Valkyrie’s core concept.

Aerodynamics and handling

Aston Martin had to refine the Valkyrie’s aerodynamic design to comply with the Balance of Performance (BoP) regulations. Under the Le Mans Hypercar rules, aerodynamic performance is regulated via performance windows, which define allowed ranges for downforce and drag. These limits are verified during homologation through wind tunnel testing and bodywork scanning. Teams are restricted to using only one aerodynamic package for the entire racing season, eliminating specialised circuit-specific aero adjustments. The original aerodynamic philosophy, heavily influenced by Formula 1 design principles, was rebalanced to achieve an optimal combination of speed, stability, and fuel efficiency required for long-distance racing.

Yet, the Valkyrie retains its signature aggressive appearance. Its large, curved venturi tunnels underneath, designed to channel airflow and generate downforce, remain. Regulation-mandated air outlets have been integrated above the wheels to manage airflow further, while the large central fin adds additional aerodynamic safety. Additionally, the nose of the car has been notably extended and lowered with the front wing from the road car being replaced with a more conventional splitter. To balance out the aerodynamics, a large rear wing has also been added.

Suspension is managed by double-wishbone systems at both front and rear, using pushrod-actuated torsion bar springs and adjustable dampers. This setup allows engineers precise control over the handling characteristics, adjusting the car for different track conditions and driver preferences. The car rides on standardised 18-inch Michelin tyres designed specifically for Hypercar racing.

Gear changes are executed via a seven-speed sequential gearbox developed by specialist manufacturer Xtrac. The paddle-shift system mounted on the steering wheel enables ultra-fast gear shifts, crucial for performance and efficiency during the intense competition at Le Mans.

Dual-continent racing challenge

The Valkyrie AMR-LMH’s ambition doesn’t stop at Le Mans. Uniquely, Aston Martin is running the Valkyrie concurrently in both the FIA WEC and IMSA championships. In doing so, the Valkyrie becomes the first and so far only Le Mans Hypercar to be entered in IMSA’s GTP class.

Balancing development and logistics across two competitive series, each with subtle variations in rules and regulations, presents a significant engineering and operational challenge. Yet, it also offers Aston Martin an invaluable breadth of experience to rapidly develop the car’s capabilities.

Since its first test run in July 2024, the Valkyrie has completed over 15,000 kilometres across various circuits, climates, and conditions from Europe’s iconic Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps to America’s gruelling Sebring and Daytona tracks. Each kilometre logged has added vital data, improving the Valkyrie’s reliability, pace, and race-readiness.

Setting realistic goals

Aston Martin arrives at Le Mans fully aware of the challenges ahead. Unlike established rivals with years of experience in top-level endurance racing, the Valkyrie AMR-LMH is taking its first steps into the unknown at the 24-hour classic. The primary goal is to ensure both cars see the chequered flag, a significant achievement for any first-time competitor.

But whatever the immediate results, the Valkyrie AMR-LMH already symbolises a unique and ambitious blend of road-going hypercar innovation and motorsport heritage. Like the mythical figures it shares a name with, this Valkyrie has risen from near oblivion to fight on racing’s grandest stage — an echo of the warrior spirit that once selected the worthy for glory. It’s a bold return shaped by resilience, engineering excellence, and a touch of mythic flair that set the Valkyrie apart in the crowded world of endurance racing.