Aston Martin Valkyrie Le Mans Racer Coming In 2025

Aston Martin will reportedly return to Le Mans with the Valkyrie, reports Autocar, with the automaker aiming to debut a motorsport-ready version in 2025.

The Gaydon-based brand first announced in 2019 that it was developing a Le Mans Hypercar version of its hypercar in collaboration with Red Bull Racing. Unfortunately, these plans were halted, but Autocar claims sources have confirmed the project has been greenlit once again.

The existence of the Valkyrie LMh project is yet to be confirmed. Still, Aston Martin said in a statement that it is "encouraged" by the reinvigorated Hypercar class and noted that it "[continues] to pay close attention to the class."

Per Autosport, Aston Martin is said to be looking into a partnership with Heart of Racing, a US-based team that competes in GT class racing. The report says the deal has not been finalized but should be soon.

The Valkyrie would be perfect for the LMh class. It was designed to lap the 8.5-mile Le Mans circuit in a mere three minutes and 20 seconds, comparable to some of the best Le Mans racers. The hypercar is powered by a mighty V12 engine and electric motor, which deliver combined outputs of 1,140 horsepower and 663 lb-ft of torque. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automated manual transmission.

Le Mans' LMh class allows manufacturers to build hybrid prototype racers with Balance of Performance rules regulating their performance across the board. Automakers in this category include Toyota, Peugeot, and Ferrari. The Italian brand's incredible 499P Le Mans Hypercar was victorious at this year's race.

Lawrence Stroll, executive chairman of Aston Martin, has previously expressed an interest in competing in the LMh class.

"We fully intend to go back to racing other than in F1," he said. "We've never stopped racing in GT3 and GT4, and we won [the GTE Pro class at] Le Mans two years ago. That program will continue and be enhanced," he told Autocar last year. "In addition, we are in discussions to go back to Le Mans," he added.

In 2018, we reported that the Valkyrie's successor would spearhead Aston Martin's return to the Le Mans LMh class. At the time, we reported that the mid-engined "son of Valkyrie" would be derived from the road-going car, so there's a chance we might still see this vehicle arrive in the coming years. Former Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer said at the time that the hypercar would be co-developed by Aston Martin and Red Bull.

If the supercar maker returns to the LMh class, it could claim its first outright Le Mans victory since the DBR1 clinched first place in 1959.