The Aston Martin Valkyrie could race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans after all if a new report proves to be accurate.
The British car manufacturer first announced plans in 2019 to race a specially-prepped version of the Valkyrie at Le Mans under the new Hypercar regulations. However, this project was axed at the start of 2020 after the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (AOC) and the International Motor Sport Association (IMSA) decided to harmonize the Hypercar class with the LMDh prototype category.
Motorsport claims that Aston Martin has since changed its mind and that it has been approached by U.S. racing team Heart of Racing to bring the Valkyrie to Le Mans. It is reported that the British car manufacturer has started speaking with suppliers about the program and has already started to name staff to oversee the project, including ex-Williams Formula 1 engineering director Adam Carter.
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Any version of the Aston Martin Valkyrie that could compete at Le Mans would be similar to both the road-going hypercar and the track-only AMR Pro. It could be developed by Multimatic Motorsport under the direction of the Aston Martin Performance Technologies division. The 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated Cosworth V12 would be retained but would not use the hybrid system of the road car.
Aston Martin has not confirmed whether it is working on a Le Mans entry in the top class of endurance motorsport but appears enticed by the idea.
“We are encouraged by the growth of the Hypercar class, and the hugely successful centenary Le Mans 24 Hours was a shining example of this,” an Aston Martin spokesman said. “Motorsport is an ever-changing landscape, so of course as a global hypercar brand we continue to pay close attention to the class.”
Heart of Racing team principal Ian James added the outfit wants to “move up to the top class of international sportscar racing,” but said nothing has been agreed upon or signed.
