Aston Martin Valkyrie Achieves Historic Second Place at Petit Le Mans
Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, October 2023 – The Aston Martin Valkyrie has marked a significant milestone in its inaugural IMSA season, clinching its first podium with a second-place finish at the 28th Motul Petit Le Mans. The No. 23 Aston Martin THOR Team Valkyrie AMR-LMH, piloted by Ross Gunn, Roman de Angelis, and Alex Riberas, demonstrated impressive performance in the final hours of the race, trailing the winning No. 31 Cadillac Whelen V-Series.R.
Gunn noted the achievement’s importance, stating, “It’s huge for everybody,” especially after the Valkyrie faced challenges in previous races. The car’s performance has improved notably, reflecting the team’s relentless focus on reliability and eventual performance enhancement following the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
This podium finish follows a year of developmental hurdles, including a six-position finish at the IMSA Road America sprint race and a fifth at the WEC 6 Hours of Fuji. The Valkyrie’s journey from initial struggles in competition has culminated in this podium.
“Our aim at the start of the year was to aim for a finish like this,” Gunn emphasized. De Angelis noted the strategic challenges, mentioning, “I was managing P3 based on fuel strategy,” and expressed surprise at being in contention for a win during the closing laps.
The Valkyrie, with its striking design and V12 engine, has evolved from a vehicle that faced cancellation in early 2020 to a competitor capable of challenging established brands in sports car racing. This performance breakthrough sets a solid foundation as the team prepares for the prestigious Rolex 24 At Daytona in January 2024.
Key Race Results:
- Winner: No. 31 Cadillac Whelen V-Series.R
- Second Place: No. 23 Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH
The rest of the Aston Martin THOR Team is optimistic about building on this momentum in the upcoming season. As the Valkyrie continues to show its potential, industry experts will be closely watching its performance in future races.
