Aston Martin Tests 2025 Le Mans Hypercar for Return

A testing phase has begun for Aston Martin's new hypercar, as the British brand aims to make its comeback at Le Mans in 2025. This initiative aligns Aston Martin with other manufacturers who have entered the World Endurance Championship due to the introduction of the hypercar class, according to BBC.

The Heart of Racing works team will oversee Aston Martin's cars during the race. Notably, two AMR-LMH Valkyries are set to compete in next year's Le Mans 24 Hours, shortly after Ferrari's 499P car secured consecutive victories in 2024.

While Aston Martin claimed its last Le Mans victory in 1959, the upcoming race in 2025 marks their return to the prestigious event's top-tier competition after a decade-long hiatus. In an interesting twist, the team is set to take a step further by utilizing their own factory-made chassis in the IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship – an American racing series highlighted by the iconic Daytona 24 Hours.

Adam Carter, Aston Martin's head of endurance motorsport, expressed satisfaction with the testing process of the Valkyrie, a cutting-edge racing machine. Carter stated that although they are still in the early stages of testing, the hypercar is meeting its designated targets.

Within sportscar racing, hypercars have spurred renewed interest and participation among manufacturers. The 'balance of performance' regulation facilitates fair competition by limiting the power output of the cars, allowing brands to showcase their divergent design philosophies. Manufacturers have the option to integrate customer chassis with their own power units or develop entirely original factory-made chassis.

The growing list of participants in recent years includes Porsche, Ferrari, Peugeot, General Motors, Lamborghini, Alpine, and BMW, joining longstanding contender Toyota. With such diverse entrants, races have witnessed multiple surprising outcomes.

Partnering with the Heart of Racing, Aston Martin collaborated with their Formula One team to produce the Valkyrie at an extensively renovated facility near Silverstone. Notably, Aston Martin intends to utilize their self-designed chassis along with a 6.5-liter V12 Cosworth engine.

Several former Formula One drivers, including Jenson Button and Aston Martin's current driver, Fernando Alonso, have transitioned to sportscar racing. Alonso has already achieved Le Mans victory twice with Toyota. Furthermore, former Aston driver and four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel recently tested a Porsche hypercar, indicating the growing allure of sportscar events for renowned drivers.

Earlier, SSP reported that Hill will lead the Wales national team.