Aston Martin Valkyrie prepares for Detroit street race in IMSA GTP

Aston Martin Valkyrie joins Detroit’s IMSA street race with THOR Team aiming for fourth points finish before Le Mans debut in June.

The streets of downtown Detroit are about to echo with the roar of the Aston Martin Valkyrie once more. For its second and final street race of the IMSA season, the British hypercar returns with the THOR Team, determined to extend its streak of points finishes to four. The Detroit Sports Car Classic marks Round 5 of the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and serves as a crucial stepping stone ahead of Valkyrie's anticipated debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The new circuit layout in the heart of Detroit, weaving through Jefferson Avenue, Atwater Street, Franklin, and more, offers a mix of high-speed sections and tight corners—a true test for any GTP contender. Valkyrie, developed from the road-going version, is not just any car: it's the only hypercar competing in both IMSA and FIA WEC this season, making it a one-of-a-kind presence on the grid.

Following a promising street circuit debut at Long Beach in April—where the car finished eighth—drivers Roman De Angelis and Ross Gunn return to familiar territory. Though their previous IMSA victory came on the now-retired Belle Isle layout, the pair know what it takes to win in Detroit and bring valuable experience to this new challenge.

“There is still so much to learn, but we are making giant steps forward,” said THOR Team Principal Ian James. “To have three points finishes with a brand-new, unique car is a fantastic start. Every weekend brings more data, and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before we score big.”

On the technical front, Valkyrie continues to impress. The naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine—developed with Cosworth—revs to 11,000 rpm and produces over 1000 bhp in road form, though it’s reined in to 680 bhp under hypercar regulations. Unlike most of its hybrid-equipped GTP rivals, Valkyrie remains fully combustion-powered, adding another layer of intrigue to its performance profile.

Optimism runs carefully through the team. Street circuits offer no margin for error, but Valkyrie has already proven capable in such environments. With Le Mans on the horizon, Detroit is more than just a race—it’s a chance to refine, to measure progress, and perhaps, to surprise.

Source: astonmartin.com