Aston Martin close to reviving Valkyrie LMH project for 2025 WEC, IMSA

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Aston Martin is on the verge of bringing back the Valkyrie LMH project, a racing endeavor that has been dormant for over three years. This revival is fueled by a growing partnership between Aston Martin and the US-based team Heart of Racing, known for its presence in the GT circuits of IMSA and WEC.

While the ink is not yet dry on the deal, insiders suggest that it could materialize in a matter of weeks. Aston Martin is actively engaging with suppliers and assembling a team to oversee this ambitious project. One notable addition is Adam Carter, a former engineering director at Williams Formula 1, who joined Aston Martin’s new Performance Technologies division.

Although Aston Martin remains tight-lipped about officially resurrecting the Valkyrie LMH, it underlines its commitment to sportscar racing and its continual assessment of strategic options. A spokesperson from the company acknowledged the growing popularity of the Hypercar class and referred to the recent success at the centenary Le Mans 24 Hours as an encouraging sign.

The Heart of Racing team, led by Ian James, appears enthusiastic about the idea of Aston Martin’s return to the top class of international sportscar racing. While plans are in the works, nothing has been finalized or signed at this stage.

Heart of Racing has already expanded its footprint into the WEC this year, building on its achievements in IMSA. Their intent with the Valkyrie racer is clear: they aim to compete in both the WEC and IMSA.

Multimatic F1 Flow is expected to continue leading the LMH development, now under the supervision of the AMPT division located at the new Silverstone headquarters of the Aston Martin F1 team.

The core concept of the Valkyrie race car remains largely unchanged since its inception. It will be powered by the same 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine developed in collaboration with Cosworth. However, it will forgo the rear-axle hybrid system found in its road-going counterpart. This configuration was originally introduced in the AMR Pro track day Valkyrie, which Aston Martin acknowledged incorporated technology from the originally planned racer when it was launched in 2021.

Aston Martin seized the opportunity presented by revised LMH rules in December 2018, allowing manufacturers to use a road-going hypercar as the foundation for their race cars. The sale of customer cars was a key component of the Valkyrie LMH’s business strategy. However, the emergence of LMP2-based LMDh cars in the Hypercar division of the WEC posed financial challenges to the program, leading to its suspension following the announcement of LMDh in January 2020.

The rekindling of interest in the Valkyrie program came with Lawrence Stroll’s involvement, who rebranded the Racing Point F1 team as Aston Martin and hinted at a return to Le Mans at a high level. Aston Martin had withdrawn from the top class at Le Mans since the AMR-One LMP1 car in 2011, which followed the Lola-based DBR1/2 P1 coupe, developed by the Prodrive-run Aston Martin Racing operation, a project unrelated to the Valkyrie program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Reviving Valkyrie LMH Project

What is the Valkyrie LMH project?

The Valkyrie LMH project is a racing program initiated by Aston Martin. It involves the development and racing of a hypercar-based race car known as the Valkyrie LMH. The project was originally conceived to compete in the top class of international sportscar racing, including events like the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Why is the Valkyrie LMH project being revived?

The project is being revived after more than three years of dormancy due to a growing partnership between Aston Martin and the US-based team Heart of Racing. This partnership has expanded into GT racing in IMSA and WEC, and they are now working to bring the Valkyrie LMH to the track.

Who is involved in the revival of the Valkyrie LMH project?

Aston Martin is actively engaged in discussions with potential suppliers, and they have assembled a team to oversee the project. Notably, Adam Carter, a former engineering director at Williams Formula 1, has joined Aston Martin’s Performance Technologies division to contribute to the effort.

What are the racing goals for the Valkyrie LMH?

The intent is for the Valkyrie LMH to compete in both the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), two prominent sportscar racing series.

What is the role of Multimatic F1 Flow in this project?

Multimatic F1 Flow is expected to continue leading the development of the Valkyrie LMH. However, the project now falls under the supervision of the AMPT division based at the Silverstone headquarters of the Aston Martin F1 team.

How will the Valkyrie LMH differ from the road-going Valkyrie?

The race car will be powered by the same 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine developed in collaboration with Cosworth. However, it will not feature the rear-axle hybrid system found in its road-going counterpart. This configuration was originally introduced in the AMR Pro track day version of the Valkyrie.

Why was the Valkyrie LMH project initially put on hold?

The project was initially put on hold due to changes in regulations that allowed LMP2-based LMDh cars to compete in the Hypercar division of the WEC. This posed financial challenges for the Valkyrie LMH program, leading to its suspension.

When did Aston Martin last compete in the top class at Le Mans?

Aston Martin’s last participation in the top class at Le Mans was with the AMR-One open-top LMP1 car in 2011. This followed the Lola-based DBR1/2 P1 coupe, which was developed by the Prodrive-run Aston Martin Racing operation and is unrelated to the Valkyrie LMH program.

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