Aston Martin THOR Team’s Valkyrie Program Gaining Momentum Ahead of 2026 Season
As the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA seasons approach their conclusion, the Aston Martin THOR Team’s Valkyrie program is showing significant progress. Recent races have highlighted the car’s evolving competitiveness within the Hypercar field.
At the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), both Valkyries aimed for strong finishes but were forced into retirement due to overheating issues. Conversely, during the recent race at Fuji, the No. 009 Valkyrie achieved a season-best qualifying position of third and followed up with a fifth-place finish, marking a notable improvement in performance.
Team Principal Ian James does not anticipate any major performance updates for the V12-powered LMH-spec Valkyrie ahead of the 2026 season, emphasizing that it is premature to pinpoint specific areas for development. “We started the year a few seconds off the pace and now we’re at the sharp end,” James stated before the Fuji race. He noted that while minor technical adjustments are ongoing, the fundamental design of the car will remain consistent as the team focuses on maximizing its current performance.
Full-season driver Alex Riberas echoed this sentiment, asserting that while the Valkyrie has yet to reach its full potential, the team is witnessing tangible improvements, especially in drivability. “The progress is real… We’re taking strides,” he commented.
Key areas under improvement include the car’s performance over curbs, acknowledged by James as a critical factor that has cost time at tracks like Imola. “We’ve improved a lot… we’re much further along than when we started,” he remarked.
Following the overheating issues from COTA, James confirmed that a solution is underway. “Radiators and stuff like that, we’ve got to analyze it… We’ll definitely have a fix for it next year,” he assured.
Looking ahead, James confirmed that the Aston Martin THOR Team is committed to competing in both the Hypercar and GTP categories for the 2026 season, indicating a continued dual program in both FIA WEC and IMSA events. “We’ll be doing both again,” said James.
The Valkyrie program is positioned for a promising future as the team capitalizes on its recent advancements and prepares for the forthcoming challenges in the world of endurance racing.
