The Aston Martin THOR Team has named the first two drivers for its 2025 FIA WEC Hypercar programme with the Valkyrie AMR-LMH, with Harry Tincknell and Alex Riberas set to fight for World Championship and Le Mans honours with the British brand.
In addition, Aston Martin has also shed light on when we will see its new Hypercar race for the first time.
The Valkyrie AMR-LMH will not take part in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona in January. Instead, Heart of Racing will take its pair of Hypercar class Valkyries to the FIA WEC Qatar 1812km for the car’s global debut in February. The Valkyrie will then make its IMSA GTP debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring a month later.
Notably, for the team’s FIA WEC campaign, Aston Martin has chosen to revive the #007 and #009 race numbers for its pair of V12-powered Hypercars.
As for the drivers confirmed today, Tincknell returns to the Aston Martin fold after four years away. His last appearance for AMR came back in 2020 when he won the LMGTE Pro class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in an Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE.
“It’s an absolute honour to return to Aston Martin for the Valkyrie programme,” said Tincknell, who will drive the #007.
“I believe the car will be a firm fan favourite with its amazing looks and the incredible sound of the V12 engine. It’s been exciting to be a part of the initial development testing, and the DNA of the car feels strong. I’m very proud of the hard work everyone has put in so far as we build towards the first race.
“Aston Martin has an incredible history in sportscar racing and this is really a ‘pinch myself moment’. Of course, I have great memories of Le Mans in 2020, and the aim is to repeat that feat with Valkyrie. It’s a dream come true.”
Riberas meanwhile, steps into the programme after a long association with The Heart of Racing team in GT competition. He will form part of the line-up in the #009.
The Spaniard has earned his place in the top class after a stellar season in The Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage, where he recorded victories in both WEC in LMGT3 and IMSA’s GTD Pro category.
“It is a great honour to be chosen as a driver for such an exciting project,” said Riberas. “I have been a part of The Heart of Racing for the past 10 years and to be able to continue my journey with them, now at the pinnacle of endurance racing, is simply a dream come true.
“On top of this, to be given the opportunity to represent such an iconic brand as Aston Martin, which has such a remarkable history both in sportscar racing and at Le Mans is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
“The Aston Martin Valkyrie is the most spectacular car I have ever driven, and it sounds amazing, so to be able to share it with the fans of motorsport all over the world is something I am very much looking forward to.”
Aston Martin THOR Team principal Ian James, added: “Both drivers have shown the relevant blend of patience, speed and dedication to the team through the testing phase of the Aston Martin Valkyrie programme and have earned the right to the race seat in 2025.
“We’re all very excited heading into next season, particularly given all the hard work that has gone into it so far. There is still a long road ahead, and I think I speak for all of us when I say we can’t wait to go racing with this incredible car. It’s a special honour to run a team with this iconic brand and to be able to take the Aston Martin wings back to where they belong, at the very pinnacle of endurance racing.”
The Valkyrie AMR-LMH’s test and development programme is nearing its conclusion after recent runs at Bahrain in a Michelin tyre test and the IMSA Sanctioned Test in Daytona.
The focus now shifts to completing the car’s homologation for the 2025 season.
“We are reaching a critical juncture in the development of the Aston Martin Valkyrie, and to this point, the car has passed all of the objectives and benchmarks we have set for it,” said Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance Motorsport.
“Testing is one thing however, going racing is quite another and we do not underestimate the formidable line-up of world-class competition in the WEC Hypercar class and in IMSA’s GTP category. Harry and Alex both fully deserve their place in the 2025 line-up and we’re excited to see how they progress next season. It’s also great to see the return of the famous #007 and #009 race numbers, which have been so synonymous with previous success at Le Mans for the brand.”
The full driver line-up for Aston Martin THOR Team’s 2025 WEC and IMSA campaigns will be revealed in due course.
Images courtesy of AMR/Drew Gibson
