The Aston Martin THOR Team has named the first two drivers for its 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar program with the Valkyrie AMR-LMH, with Briton Harry Tincknell and Spaniard Alex Riberas set to fight for world championship and Le Mans honors with the British brand.
Tincknell, who has spent 2024 racing in the FIA WEC with Proton Competition and in IMSA with Ford Performance, returns to the Aston Martin fold after four years away. His last appearance for AMR came back in 2020, when he won the LMGTE Pro class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in an Aston Martin Racing Vantage GTE.
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“It’s an absolute honor to return to Aston Martin for the Valkyrie program,” said Tincknell, who will drive the No. 007 Valkyrie. “I believe the car will be a firm fan favorite with its amazing looks and the incredible sound of the V12 engine. It’s been exciting to be a part of the initial development testing, and the DNA of the car feels strong. I’m very proud of the hard work everyone has put in so far as we build towards the first race.
“Aston Martin has an incredible history in sports car racing and this is really a ‘pinch myself moment.’ Of course, I have great memories of Le Mans in 2020, and the aim is to repeat that feat with Valkyrie. It’s a dream come true.”
Riberas, meanwhile, steps into the program after a long association with The Heart of Racing team in GT competition. He will form part of the line-up in the No. 009.
The Spaniard’s graduation to the WEC’s top class comes after a stellar season with the U.S.-flagged team, in which he recorded victories in both WEC in LMGT3 and IMSA’s GTD Pro category.
“It is a great honor to be chosen as a driver for such an exciting project,” said Riberas. “I have been a part of The Heart of Racing for the past 10 years and to be able to continue my journey with them, now at the pinnacle of endurance racing, is simply a dream come true.
“On top of this, to be given the opportunity to represent such an iconic brand as Aston Martin, which has such a remarkable history both in sportscar racing and at Le Mans is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
“The Aston Martin Valkyrie is the most spectacular car I have ever driven, and it sounds amazing, so to be able to share it with the fans of motorsport all over the world is something I am very much looking forward to.”
Aston Martin THOR team principal Ian James, added: “Both drivers have shown the relevant blend of patience, speed and dedication to the team through the testing phase of the Aston Martin Valkyrie program and have earned the right to the race seat in 2025.
“We’re all very excited heading into next season, particularly given all the hard work that has gone into it so far. There is still a long road ahead, and I think I speak for all of us when I say we can’t wait to go racing with this incredible car. It’s a special honor to run a team with this iconic brand and to be able to take the Aston Martin wings back to where they belong, at the very pinnacle of endurance racing.”
The rest of Aston Martin THOR Team’s 2025 WEC and IMSA line-ups are set to be revealed soon.