Aston Martin has confirmed it will enter the World Endurance Championship (WEC) from 2025.
Confirmed:
- At least one Valkyrie race car will compete in WEC’s Hypercar class
- Aston Martin will be the only manufacturer competing in all forms of global endurance racing and Formula One from 2025
Context:
These are heady times for the endurance racing championship. More and more manufacturers are being convinced to join WEC, and Aston Martin will be the fifth in the space of three years once the iconic British brand finally lines up on the grid. With Ferrari a new entrant for this season, and BMW, Lamborghini and Alpine all confirmed for 2024, WEC is showing itself to be the antithesis of Formula One when it comes to opening up to new teams.
Comment:
Lawrence Stroll, executive chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda, said: “Performance is the lifeblood of everything that we do at Aston Martin, and motorsport is the ultimate expression of this pursuit of excellence.
“In addition to our presence in Formula One, Aston Martin’s return to the pinnacle of endurance racing will allow us to build a deeper connection with our customers and community, many of whom found their passion for the brand through our past success at Le Mans.”
Coming next:
One downside from this positive growth in WEC’s Hypercar class is the loss of the LMP2 class. While 2024 could see an increase to 40 cars on the grid, as reported by Autosport, the loss of the second-tier class will see fewer opportunities for privateer teams. Despite being a mainstay in WEC since 2012, LMP2 entries will have to settle for a sole appearance at Le Mans.