Aston Martin Valkyrie to race at Le Mans in 2021

Aston Martin has confirmed that it will enter the Aston Martin Valkyrie into the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans to contest for the overall victory.

In two years' time, the World Endurance Championship will introduce hypercars, which has prompted Aston Martin to confirm its entry in the highest class.

The British manufacturer confirmed that it will enter a minimum of two Valkyries at the event. The car has been worked on for a number of years, with Red Bull Racing's Adrian Newey at the head of the design work along with Marek Reichman and David King.

Aston Martin confirmed that the car will "feature a race-prepared version of its bespoke high-revving normally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine".

Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group CEO Andy Palmer said: "We have always said that we would one day bring Aston Martin back to Le Mans with the intention of going for the outright win when the time was right – now is that time.

"David Brown came here in 1959, with a car and a team of drivers capable of winning. We intend to do the same in 2021. The Aston Martin Valkyrie is primed for such a challenge and sits perfectly within the ACO’s new ‘hypercar’ rule framework.

"Bringing to bear all of our previous experience and knowledge of competing at the top levels of motorsport, we embark on this most ambitious project with the necessary ingredients for success.

"What could be more evocative than the wail of an Aston Martin V12 leading the charge into the night on the Mulsanne straight?”

Aston Martin Vice President and Chief Special Operations Officer David King added: “The FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans represent the ultimate challenge for the Aston Martin Valkyrie – the world’s most extreme hypercar.

"Designed and built with the purpose of pushing boundaries on the road, it’s natural to conclude that the next stage in its development would be to measure its capabilities on the track.

"I can think of no better way to do that than to compete in a world championship and the most prestigious and famous race of all.”