Aston Martin Valkyrie Makes Historic IMSA Debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring
Aston Martin’s next exhilarating chapter continues this weekend as the British ultra-luxury performance brand’s all-new Valkyrie hypercar makes its IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (IMSA) debut in North America’s most demanding endurance event: the legendary Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring.
As the first ‘Le Mans Hypercar’ (LMH) produced by Aston Martin, Valkyrie stands out as the only car in IMSA’s premier GTP category to originate from a road-legal hypercar. Masterminded by the works Aston Martin THOR team at Sebring, this entry extends an historic season for the British contender, which is the first LMH car of any kind to compete in IMSA, and the sole racer contesting both IMSA and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), following its debut in Qatar last month.
Developed from the Valkyrie production car by Aston Martin and THOR, the competition version combines a race-optimised carbon fibre chassis with a modified 6.5-litre V12 powerplant. This engine revs to 11,000rpm, produces over 1000bhp in standard form, and adheres to a strict 500kW (680bhp) power limit under hypercar regulations.
Valkyrie positions Aston Martin in the top division of US sportscar racing for the first time since 2011, when the brand claimed five outright victories and seven podiums in the American Le Mans Series.
The single-car programme’s Aston Martin works driver roster is brimming with international experience. Canadian Roman De Angelis, the 2022 IMSA GTD champion, and Ross Gunn (GBR), a regular race winner in GTD and GTD Pro categories, will contest the remainder of the IMSA season in the #23 Valkyrie. Both are past winners of the Aston Martin Race Academy.
They are joined at Sebring—and again for the season-ending Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta—by THOR regular Alex Riberas (ESP). His full-time 2025 campaign involves racing Valkyrie in the FIA WEC. He also brings extensive IMSA experience, including multiple GTD Pro wins over the past three seasons.
Ross Gunn, driver #23 Aston Martin Valkyrie: “Sebring this year is essential for us, even more than usual, and marks Valkyrie’s first IMSA race, which is incredibly exciting. We are on a steep learning trajectory, but everyone works hard to maximise the car’s performance. I am looking forward to getting out there. It will be a huge physical and mental challenge because Sebring is always one of the toughest events, but we have trained hard. Hearing the V12 engine roar around Sebring will be incredible.”
Roman De Angelis, driver #23 Aston Martin Valkyrie: “I’m looking forward to heading to Sebring for the Valkyrie programme’s first IMSA race and my full-season campaign with Ross. We learned much from our FIA WEC debut in Qatar; that experience will help us progress. Sebring is an iconic and unique event that I anticipate every year, and racing in the top class for the first time is a dream come true. It will be a special weekend.”
Alex Riberas, driver #23 Aston Martin Valkyrie: “The 12 Hours of Sebring could be the highlight of the year for the Aston Martin Team THOR IMSA programme, marking the debut of Valkyrie in North America. It is also the first LMH car to compete under IMSA regulations, a huge milestone for everyone involved. Sebring is notoriously challenging, and we recognise the scale of this weekend. I can’t wait to drive in such a phenomenal car on this amazing circuit.”
Ian James, Team Principal, Aston Martin THOR Team: “IMSA is where The Heart of Racing team developed and evolved into a championship-winning organisation, so joining the top class is a very special moment for everyone involved. Bringing this exceptional hypercar to American race fans is a privilege. Running in Qatar gave us valuable insights in race conditions, and we gained great confidence from that experience. Each time we run Valkyrie, we learn more and apply it to the next event. This continuous momentum will carry through the season.”
Adam Carter, Aston Martin Head of Endurance Motorsport: “Aston Martin’s return to top-flight endurance competition in the US with such a breathtaking hypercar is a landmark step for the Valkyrie programme. It is the first of its kind to race in IMSA, and the only one that has evolved from a road car. Sebring presents immense challenges as a venue and an endurance test, but each mile generates data and understanding that builds on our debut in Qatar. Dressed in its striking blue livery and powered by its unique 6.5-litre V12 engine, Valkyrie will undoubtedly captivate American racing fans.”
