Aston Martin tests Valkyrie Hypercar at Silverstone

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A development version of the V12-powered Valkyrie Hypercar has completed its first run on Silverstone’s Grand Prix circuit as Aston Martin evaluates future upgrades

Aston Martin’s THOR Team has completed an extensive test of a development version of the Valkyrie Hypercar at Silverstone, marking the first time the car has run on the circuit’s full Grand Prix layout. Works drivers Ross Gunn and Harry Tincknell shared driving duties in the 6.5-litre V12-powered race car as the team evaluated a range of technical developments and gathered data that could influence the future direction of the Valkyrie programme. The test took place on Silverstone’s 3.66-mile Grand Prix circuit, which is also home to Aston Martin’s AMR Technology Campus and will host the 6 Hours of Silverstone from April 23–25, 2027. The event will mark the FIA World Endurance Championship’s first round in Britain since 2019.

Evaluating the next stage of Valkyrie development

The Aston Martin THOR Team manages the manufacturer’s WEC Hypercar programme and its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTP programme.

During the Silverstone test, the team assessed a range of technical items under development while evaluating the Valkyrie’s future performance direction. Team Principal Ian James said the running allowed Aston Martin to explore several areas of performance and challenge new ideas.

Aston Martin Head of Endurance Motorsport Adam Carter said the team is beginning to investigate further performance opportunities now that it has a better understanding of the Valkyrie after around 18 months of racing.

He also noted that Aston Martin is competing against established rivals that are several years further into their development programmes, making the Silverstone session an early step in the Valkyrie’s next phase of development.

Valkyrie makes progress in WEC and IMSA

The Valkyrie has recorded improved results during the 2026 season in both WEC and IMSA.

At the 6 Hours of São Paulo, the two Valkyries finished sixth and ninth, giving the model its first double-points finish in WEC.

In IMSA, Gunn and team-mate Roman De Angelis were classified fifth after finishing second on the road. Aston Martin says the result represented Valkyrie’s sixth top-10 finish from seven starts in the North American championship.

The Valkyrie is Aston Martin’s first Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) and, according to the manufacturer, the only car in the top category of WEC or IMSA derived from a road-legal hypercar.

6.5-litre V12 revs to a screaming 11,000 rpm

Developed from the road-going Valkyrie by Aston Martin and THOR, the competition car combines a race-optimised carbon-fibre chassis with a modified 6.5-litre V12.

The engine revs to 11,000 rpm and produces more than 1,000 bhp in standard form, but the race car is restricted to 500 kW, or 680 bhp, under Hypercar regulations.

Preparing for WEC’s Silverstone return

Beyond development work, the test gave Aston Martin valuable experience of both Michelin tyre behaviour and Silverstone’s circuit characteristics ahead of WEC’s return to the UK in 2027.

The Silverstone running forms part of Aston Martin’s ongoing development of the Valkyrie as the team evaluates its future performance direction and prepares for the championship’s return to its home circuit in 2027.