Aston Martin is the first of the hypercar makers to raise its head above the Le Mans parapet and commit to racing for outright honours there in 2021, 100 years since an Aston first raced there.
The company today confirmed that it will enter a team of at least two works Valkyries – the Adrian Newey-designed hypercar developed in partnership with Red Bull Advanced Technologies – in the 2020/21 FIA World Endurance Championship to compete in the coming new hypercar class.
The announcement comes after months of speculation that, following the slow demise of LMP1, hypercars based on roadgoing models would form the new top category in the WEC championship. The move promises a new era of motorsport and a compelling new spectacle at the 24 Heures du Mans. With the WEC season spanning two years, the first time the specially developed Valkyries will race at Le Mans will be 2021.
The cars the Aston Valkyries will be up against are not so far known, but Aston’s announcement is sure to put pressure on companies like McLaren, Ferrari, Porsche and Mercedes.
In a shot across McLaren’s bows, Aston references the McLaren F1’s win at Le Mans in 1995 as “the last time a British-built derivative of a road car claimed top honours at Le Mans”. It says that achievement invokes the “pioneering spirit of the Aston Martin founder Lionel Martin” and that the company is “now set to carry that mantle into the next decade with a bold attempt to win Le Mans and the world championship.”
The news was confirmed today on the eve of Aston’s 60th anniversary of the DBR1’s win at Le Mans in 1959 and as news that its Vantage has taken pole position in the GTE Pro class for this weekend’s French endurance classic. It also comes just days after we published an interview with Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin Lagonda, who said “Obviously there’s a rule change at Le Mans which suggests that we have a mid-engined car that could compete in that field…”.
The new WEC regulations allow for race-prepared derivatives of the world’s fastest road cars to fight at the forefront of world sportscar racing. Drawing on both the Valkyrie road car and the AMR Pro track version, Aston says the WEC car will feature a race-prepared version of the normally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine in a lightweight carbon fibre structure featuring F1 inspired aerodynamics, courtesy of Adrian Newey, among the world’s greatest and most successful F1 designers.
“We have always said that we would one day bring Aston Martin back to Le Mans with the intention of going for the outright win when the time was right – now is that time,” said Aston chief Andy Palmer.
“David Brown came here in 1959, with a car and a team of drivers capable of winning. We intend to do the same in 2021. The Aston Martin Valkyrie is primed for such a challenge and sits perfectly within the ACO’s new ‘hypercar’ rule framework.
“What could be more evocative than the wail of an Aston Martin V12 leading the charge into the night on the Mulsanne straight?”
Aston Martin
Valkyrie
Le Mans
Motorsport
WEC
Book tickets
For our big events, to the small ones too
Book event hospitality
Enjoy with loved ones, colleagues or clients
Buy an experience
For yourself, a loved one, or both!
Book a table
Choose from three of our restaurants
Book your stay
Stay at our hotel, cottages or Hound Lodge
Become a member
Join the family and get exclusive rewards
Book tickets Change
Choose event
Spectate from the chicane at the Revival to see plenty of classic cars going sideways as they exit this infamous point of our Motor Circuit.
From elite motorsport to historic horse racing, you’ll have an unforgettable experience.
Book event hospitality Change
Choose event
Sir Stirling Moss was one of the founding patrons of the Festival of Speed, and a regular competitor at the Revival.
Experience ultimate access to our exceptional events with our all inclusive hospitality packages.
Buy an experience Change
Choose experience
Flying jetpacks doesn't have to just be a spectator sport at FOS, you can have a go at our very own Aerodrome!
From driving and flying to golf and dining, experiences at Goodwood are simply unforgettable.
Book a table Change
Choose restaurant
Choose from three of our restaurants, all serving our award-winning organic produce.
Book your stay Change
Find availability
We have been host to many incredible film crews using Goodwood as a backdrop for shows like Downton Abbey, Hollywood Blockbusters like Venom: let there be Carnage and the Man from U.N.C.L.E.
We’re already looking forward to seeing you.
Become a member Change
Choose a membership
Whatever your passion, there is a Goodwood membership to make you feel at home.
Sign in below to access your account and benefits
Don't have an account?Create your account by entering your details below...
Already have an account