Aston Martin Thor Team Updates on Valkyrie Performance and 2026 Season Plans
The Aston Martin Thor Team is set to continue its dual campaign in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and IMSA GTP classes with the Valkyrie in 2026, although team principal Ian James indicates no significant upgrades are expected for the upcoming season.
Recent performances have shown promise for the Valkyrie, particularly at the last two races. At Circuit of the Americas (COTA), both Valkyries demonstrated competitiveness before overheating issues led to retirements during the final hour. Conversely, the #009 Valkyrie achieved a season-best qualifying position of third at Fuji, ultimately finishing fifth.
James acknowledged the team’s progress, highlighting their continuous adaptation and understanding of the car. “It’s hard to quantify, but we started the year a few seconds off the pace and now we’re at the sharp end,” James explained. “We’re not planning significant changes next year as we still need to maximize the car’s potential.”
Driver Alex Riberas expressed optimism, noting improvements in drivability and reliability, yet emphasized ongoing refinement. “The progress is real,” he stated. “We’re making gains in reliability, and I’d prefer any issues to occur now rather than at Le Mans next year.”
Addressing technical challenges, such as compliance over circuit kerbs, James reiterated the need for improvements. “We’ve improved a lot, but we’re still not where we want to be,” he remarked. The team is also investigating solutions for the overheating incidents experienced at COTA, ensuring readiness for the future.
As for the 2026 season, Aston Martin Thor Team’s commitment to both WEC and IMSA has been confirmed, underscoring their ambition to enhance the Valkyrie’s performance further.
