Aston Martin says Qatar showed ‘real evidence’ of Valkyrie’s potential

Following an extensive testing programme, the pair of eagerly-anticipated Valkyries – derived from the road-going model of the same name and run by Aston Martin THOR Team – took to the track at Lusail International Circuit to do battle against opposition from Alpine, BMW, Cadillac, Ferrari, Peugeot, Porsche and Toyota at the beginning of an historic year for the iconic British brand.

After lining up 16^th and 18^th on the grid for the ten-hour curtain-raising contest – the race-tuned Valkyrie’s global debut – the #007 and #009 contenders showed a solid turn-of-speed as they settled into an accomplished rhythm.

Three-time FIA WEC class champion Marco Sørenson produced two purple sectors during the first hour, with team-mate Tom Gamble in the sister entry posting the car’s fastest lap of the race, outpacing drivers from Peugeot, BMW, Toyota, Porsche and Alpine as he got to within a tenth-of-a-second of Robert Kubica’s best effort in the second-placed Ferrari.

“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster,” reflected the rising British star. “There is a such a big build-up in Qatar, but it was actually really positive. We learned so much – both about the car and how the team works together – and that was our main objective.

“In order for us to eventually win, we need to learn and improve, and there are a lot of areas we can work on before we go to Imola (for round two on 18-20 April) – I’m already looking forward to hitting the track there. To be part of the Valkyrie debut has been incredible and a huge honour. It’s going to be a really exciting year!”

The all-British #007 piloted by Gamble alongside countrymen Harry Tincknell and Ross Gunn was ultimately forced to withdraw due to a transmission issue, but the #009 – crewed by Sørenson, LMGT3 graduate Alex Riberas and 2022 IMSA GTD title-winner Roman De Angelis – continued on to take the chequered flag 17^th, despite losing time during the second hour to replace a missing door.

“It was very special to finish the first race,” remarked the Dane. “Of course we have a lot to learn, and we need to make sure we improve and have fewer issues, but all this kind of stuff is normal for a new programme. It feels like we are moving forward all the time and I think we showed with our race pace that the car has a great deal of very exciting potential that we will unlock.”

While the Valkyrie’s maiden appearance in such a fiercely-disputed Hypercar category in the world’s premier endurance racing series was always likely to be a steep learning curve, Aston Martin THOR Team is hopeful it will not be long before the striking British-built challenger is pushing for points if not indeed more.

“We knew this was going to be a ‘learning week’ for the Valkyrie,” acknowledged Aston Martin Head of Endurance, Adam Carter, “and we encountered some of the ‘teething issues’ you would associate with a new racing programme.

“That said, we were encouraged by the pace both cars showed during their stints. We saw plenty of indications throughout the ‘Prologue’ and race that give us cause to believe we can be competitive as the season matures. We’ve learned a huge amount and gathered considerable data – and that gives us plenty to build upon.”

“We knew the first race was going to be tough,” echoed Team Principal, Ian James, “but the team has gelled so well and worked so hard, and we saw real evidence of what the car is capable of as we start to apply the lessons we learn on this exciting journey.

“It was amazing to see how we measured against the competition already, and I think inside the team we really have the feeling that we can fight with our rival teams and manufacturers, who are well-established in the championship. We also know we have the most learning to do and the most to come from our package, which is right at the beginning of its development curve and understanding. There’s much to be excited about.”