Aston Martin’s highly anticipated return to endurance racing takes a bold step forward as the Valkyrie prepares for its North American competition debut in the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the legendary 12 Hours of Sebring this weekend. It marks a pivotal moment for the British automaker and America’s top sportscar series, as it brings revolutionary high-revving V12-powered Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) technology to one of the toughest endurance races in the world.
The IMSA 12 Hours of Sebring, known for its punishing track surface, intense multi-class racing, and unpredictable weather conditions, will serve as the perfect proving ground for the Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH. The hypercar is set to compete in IMSA’s top-tier GTP (Grand Touring Prototype) class, where it will go head-to-head with the likes of Porsche, Cadillac, Acura, Lamborghini and BMW in the battle for overall victory. All of its class rivals run cars built to IMSA’s LMDh platform, but the Valkyrie is the first true road-based hypercar chassis to race in the GTP category, and is the only car in the class not to feature a high-voltage hybrid electrical system.
Run by the works Aston Martin THOR team, its entry into IMSA’s endurance racing scene aligns with the brand’s push to cement itself as a leader in hypercar performance. The AMR-LMH is derived from the road-going Valkyrie but engineered specifically for top-level endurance racing, featuring a naturally aspirated V12 engine, that revs to 11,000rpm, developed in collaboration with Cosworth and a lightweight carbon-fiber monocoque chassis.
“With Aston Martin returning to top-flight endurance competition in the US with such a breathtaking hypercar, the first of its kind to race in IMSA and the only one developed from a road car, this is clearly a landmark step for the Valkyrie programme,” said Adam Carter, Aston Martin’s Head of Endurance Motorsport. “We all know the challenges Sebring offers, both as a venue and as a race, but these are important tests for Valkyrie and every mile builds data and understanding. The car cuts a striking silhouette in its blue livery, and with its unique sound from the V12, 6.5-litre engine, I am certain this car will win the hearts and minds of the American racing fans.”
The 12 Hours of Sebring is one of the most challenging races on the IMSA calendar, held on a former WWII-era airfield circuit that is famous for its bumpy surface, tight corners, and high-speed sections. The track pushes both drivers and machines to their absolute limits, making it a true test of endurance for any race car. For Aston Martin, competing in Sebring is more than just a debut—it’s a statement of intent. The race will showcase the Valkyrie AMR-LMH’s capabilities, providing crucial data and experience for its 2025 IMSA and World Endurance Championship campaigns.
Driver Ross Gunn said: “Sebring this year is a very important event for us, even more than normal, and it will be the first IMSA race for Valkyrie, which is incredibly exciting. Of course we are on a very steep learning trajectory right now, but everyone is working super-hard to bring as much performance as possible to the car. It’s very exciting to have the V12 engine going around Sebring. It’s going to be an incredible weekend.”
Aston Martin has a storied history in endurance racing, but the 12 Hours of Sebring holds special significance. The British marque has previously seen success in GT competition, but the arrival of the Valkyrie signals a return to prototype racing on American soil for the first time in over a decade.
With IMSA’s growing international appeal and an increasingly competitive GTP class, the Valkyrie’s entry into the 12 Hours of Sebring sets the stage for an exciting new era in hypercar endurance racing. As the countdown to Sebring 2025 begins, all eyes will be on Aston Martin and the Valkyrie AMR-LMH as they aim to make history in North America’s premier endurance series, before taking on the challenge of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.
Image Source: Aston Martin
