Aston Martin Eyes Major Valkyrie LMH Upgrade for 2027

Aston Martin could introduce its first major upgrade to the Valkyrie Le Mans Hypercar in 2027, according to The Heart of Racing team principal Ian James. The British manufacturer is evaluating the use of “evo jokers” to address performance weaknesses in the V12-powered prototype for its third season in the World Endurance Championship and IMSA SportsCar Championship.

Why is Aston Martin planning Valkyrie upgrades for 2027?

The decision stems from a need to remain competitive as the Hypercar class evolves. Ian James stated that discussions are ongoing because the original concept of maintaining the same car may no longer be viable within the current performance window. James specifically noted that Ferrari is bringing a “raft of changes” to its own program.

View this post on Instagram about Ian James, Petit Le Mans

From Instagram — related to Ian James, Petit Le Mans

While the Valkyrie has demonstrated high reliability, podium finishes have been rare. The car’s only podium to date was a second-place finish at last year’s IMSA finale at Petit Le Mans. At the most recent Le Mans 24 Hours, the top-finishing non-hybrid Valkyrie placed eighth, trailing the winning Toyota by several minutes due to excessive aero drag.

Did You Know? Apart from newcomer Genesis, Aston Martin is the only GTP/Hypercar manufacturer that has not yet deployed any “evo jokers” for its prototype development.

What specific weaknesses does the Valkyrie need to fix?

Factory driver Ross Gunn told Motorsport.com that the team is identifying key fixes to improve the 2027 season. Gunn noted that the car struggles specifically on bumpy tracks and street circuits within the IMSA series.

2025 Aston Martin Valkyrie LMH | V12 Flybys, Downshifts & Pitstop @ Spa

Development of these fixes is being managed by Multimatic, Ian James, and Aston Martin. The team carried over the previous year’s Valkyrie LMH package into 2026 to maximize existing performance before committing to larger structural or aerodynamic changes.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter suggests that Aston Martin’s hesitation to use evo jokers early on reflects a strategy of baseline stabilization. However, the gap in pace seen at Le Mans indicates that reliability alone cannot secure wins against evolving hybrid competitors.

What may happen next for the Valkyrie program?

Aston Martin is likely to define the exact nature of its upgrades in the coming months. A possible next step involves deploying the evo jokers to reduce aero drag and improve handling on uneven surfaces.

The team may continue to rely on driver feedback from Ross Gunn and others to pinpoint the most critical areas for improvement. If the current performance gap persists, the 2027 upgrades could represent the most significant shift in the car’s design since its introduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Valkyrie receive its first major upgrade?
According to team principal Ian James, the upgrades could be introduced in 2027.

What is the Valkyrie’s best race result so far?
The car’s only podium finish was a second-place result at last year’s IMSA finale at Petit Le Mans.

Who is responsible for the development of the Valkyrie?
Development is controlled by Multimatic, Ian James, and Aston Martin.

Do you think a non-hybrid V12 can remain competitive against hybrid hypercars in 2027?