Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled ride as we dive into the world of racing! The Aston Martin Valkyrie is set to dominate the tracks once again!
In a thrilling announcement, Aston Martin has revealed that its iconic Valkyrie hypercar will be racing in the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with an unchanged driver lineup. This news follows an impressive debut season, where the team learned valuable lessons and achieved remarkable results.
But here's where it gets exciting! The Aston Martin THOR Team, led by Team Principal Ian James, will continue to showcase the talents of their British duo, Tom Gamble and Harry Tincknell, behind the wheel of the #007 Valkyrie. They will be joined by Ross Gunn, providing support for the all-British crew in the endurance rounds. Meanwhile, the #009 Valkyrie will be driven by Alex Riberas and Marco Sørensen, with Roman De Angelis stepping in for long-distance events.
The Valkyrie, a true 'Le Mans Hypercar' (LMH), is the only road-legal hypercar in the WEC's premier category. Its global debut in the Qatar 1812km race earlier this year marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. Throughout 2025, the team consistently improved, covering over 22,000 racing miles and gaining invaluable experience.
And this is the part most people miss... The Valkyrie's inaugural season ended with a bang! The team secured a series of points finishes, including an impressive fifth place overall in the 6 Hours of Fuji. Riberas even led a WEC race for the first time, showcasing the car's competitive nature. But the highlight was yet to come - the team clinched their first global podium at the Motul Petit Le Mans, coming incredibly close to a historic victory.
This success followed an encouraging performance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where both Valkyrie hypercars completed their maiden race without a hitch. It was a significant milestone, earning the team and Aston Martin their first Manufacturer's World Championship points in the Hypercar Class.
But wait, there's more! The Heart of Racing (THOR) team will also be leading the charge with the iconic Vantage model in the 2026 WEC. This ultra-luxury sportscar has a rich racing history, and THOR is set to expand its GT program, running two Vantage LMGT3s. Team Principal Ian James, a WEC veteran, will be joined by the talented Gray Newell, who impressed during the Rookie Test.
So, what does the future hold for these racing legends? Next season marks Vantage's 15th consecutive year in WEC, and it has an impressive track record. With five iterations and 13 seasons under its belt, Vantage has clinched an astonishing 53 class victories at the world level, second only to Aston Martin itself. It has dominated every WEC class it has entered and has claimed 11 world titles, along with five 24 Hours of Le Mans class wins.
The latest Vantage GT3, a true powerhouse, shares the mechanical brilliance of Aston Martin's focused sportscar. Powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine, it has already recorded three pole positions in 2025, including at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. With such an impressive lineup and a proven track record, Aston Martin is confident that THOR will deliver exciting results in the upcoming season.
As we eagerly await the 2026 WEC, one question remains: Will the Aston Martin Valkyrie and Vantage continue their dominance, or will new challengers emerge? What do you think? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
