Aston Martin returns to the 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Valkyrie LMH, the only V12-powered car in the race's top division

Aston Martin has officially unveiled its new Valkyrie LMH hypercar, which will compete in the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans. This will be the brand's first attempt to win the absolute standings of the legendary race in the last 60 years.

Here's What We Know

The race car is based on the road-going Aston Martin Valkyrie, but adapted to the requirements of the Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) class, which allows for more customisation compared to the Le Mans Daytona Hybrid (LMDh) class.

One of the features of the Valkyrie LMH is the 6.5-litre Cosworth atmospheric V12 engine. It is the only V12 in the top endurance racing class, where most competitors use a V8 or V6. The engine retains the hybrid system, but its output has been reduced from 1,140bhp to 680bhp to comply with FIA WEC technical regulations.

Aston Martin engineers adapted the motor for marathon racing, making it more economical and more enduring. The rev limit has been lowered and the fuel-to-air ratio in the fuel mixture has been reduced, allowing for less frequent refuelling during the race.

The Valkyrie LMH also received updated aerodynamics. The most noticeable change is the large rear fin, which stabilises the car at high speeds. Engineers also changed the body design so that it is possible to replace damaged elements faster during pit stops.

To speed up maintenance, the bolide received built-in pneumatic jacks, which will allow mechanics to change tyres faster. This is important in long races, where every second on the pit lane can affect the final result.

Aston Martin is preparing not only for Le Mans, but also will take part in FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and American series IMSA Sportscar Championship. At the start of the "24 Hours of Le Mans" in 2025, the Aston Martin team will go out with two cars.

The first, with the number 007, will be piloted by Britons Harry Tincknell and Tom Gamble. The second, with the number 009, will be in the hands of Danish Marco Sørensen and Spanish Alex Riberas. The cars will be driven by The Heart of Racing team, which also uses Aston Martin cars in the GT3 class.

Source: Autocar