Get ready for an exciting update on the world of motorsport! The Aston Martin Valkyrie is set to dominate the 2026 racing season with an unchanged driver lineup, and we're here to break down all the details for you!
The Aston Martin THOR Team, fresh from an impressive debut year, is keeping its winning formula intact. Tom Gamble and Harry Tincknell will continue to pilot the iconic #007 Valkyrie, joined by Ross Gunn for the endurance rounds. Meanwhile, the dynamic duo of Alex Riberas and Marco Sørensen will reunite in the #009, with Roman De Angelis stepping in for long-distance races.
But here's where it gets controversial... The Valkyrie remains the sole 'Hypercar' to compete in both the prestigious IMSA and FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) series. This unique position gives Aston Martin an edge, and the team is determined to capitalize on it.
In a statement, Aston Martin THOR Team Principal Ian James highlighted the team's growth and the invaluable knowledge gained from the 2025 season. He praised the drivers' dedication and their ability to go above and beyond expectations. With this solid foundation, the team is confident that their drivers will push even harder in 2026.
The Valkyrie, Aston Martin's first 'Le Mans Hypercar,' has already made its mark on the racing world. Its trailblazing journey saw it consistently improve throughout 2025, covering an impressive 22,000 racing miles, including the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car's inaugural season ended on a high note with a series of strong finishes, including a fifth-place overall finish in the 6 Hours of Fuji.
And this is the part most people miss... The Aston Martin Vantage, the brand's most successful racing car, will also be a key player in the 2026 WEC. Partner team The Heart of Racing (THOR) will lead the charge with two Vantage LMGT3s, building on their successful single-car campaigns.
Team Principal Ian James, a WEC veteran, will return for his third consecutive season, driving the #27 THOR Vantage GT3. He'll be joined by the talented Gray Newell, who impressed during the Rookie Test. Newell, a rookie in the WEC, is excited yet nervous about the challenge ahead, but with James' guidance, he's ready to step up and contribute to the team's success.
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 incredible 53 class victories at the world level, second only to Aston Martin itself. It has won races in every WEC class it has entered and with every version of Vantage.
The latest Vantage GT3, sharing the mechanical prowess of Aston Martin's ultra-luxury performance cars, is a force to be reckoned with. Its proven bonded aluminum chassis and fearsome twin-turbo V8 engine have already secured three pole positions in 2025, including at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Adam Carter, Aston Martin's Head of Endurance Motorsport, praised The Heart of Racing as an outstanding partner, highlighting their engineering expertise and intense approach to success. With THOR expanding to a two-car operation in WEC, Aston Martin is confident that this partnership will yield exciting results.
So, there you have it! The Aston Martin Valkyrie and Vantage are set to dominate the 2026 racing season. But what do you think? Will Aston Martin's unchanged lineup pay off? And can The Heart of Racing lead the Vantage to even greater heights? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! We'd love to hear your predictions and insights on this exciting news!
