Aston Martin has announced that it will compete for overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans starting in 2025. The British automaker will enter at least one Valkyrie racing prototype in the hypercar category of the FIA World Endurance Championship and the IMSA sportscar championship. Aston Martin’s participation in these series, which include high-profile races such as Le Mans, Daytona 24 Hours, and 12 Hours of Sebring, aims to build a stronger connection with its customers and community. The Valkyrie, a limited edition hypercar inspired by a Formula One car, was designed by Red Bull designer Adrian Newey and has a starting price of £2 million.
This return to endurance racing is a significant move for Aston Martin, which has a historical presence at Le Mans dating back to its first victory in 1959. Lawrence Stroll, executive chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda, highlighted the company’s aim to create new history with a racing prototype inspired by their fastest production car. Stroll, who also owns the Aston Martin Formula One team, revealed that most of the funding for the endurance program will be provided by Heart of Racing, Aston Martin’s endurance partner. Additionally, Aston Martin plans to launch new GT3 and GT4 cars in early 2024, developed by their Performance Technologies company.
The announcement raises speculation about the possibility of Spanish Formula One driver Fernando Alonso joining the Le Mans lineup in 2025. However, Stroll stated that no decision has been made yet, but “anything’s possible.” Along with their commitment to the endurance program, Aston Martin is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year and continues to expand its involvement in the world of motorsport. Last month, Stroll’s Yew Tree Consortium increased its stake in the luxury carmaker to 26.23%, reflecting his belief in the company’s undervalued potential for growth.
