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Aston Martin shifts into development mode with Valkyrie upgrade tests
Aston Martin is sharpening its Hypercar programme with targeted testing at Silverstone ahead of the 2027 WEC season.
By Ruben Smit - 2026-08-20T12:12:00.000Z - 2 min read
Aston Martin has initiated a critical development phase for its Valkyrie Hypercar, utilizing a recent test session at Silverstone to evaluate technical upgrades. The outing, which saw drivers Ross Gunn and Harry Tincknell behind the wheel, marks a shift in strategy for the Aston Martin THOR Team. After navigating 18 months of real-world competition, the manufacturer is moving beyond the initial learning curve to focus on performance extraction.
Selecting Silverstone for these evaluations was a calculated decision, placing the team on home soil just a short distance from the AMR Technology Campus. The circuit also serves as a symbolic backdrop for the team's future, as it prepares for the return of the 6 Hours of Silverstone to the FIA WEC calendar in April 2027. This test served double duty, acting as both a rigorous data-gathering exercise and a foundational dress rehearsal for the marque’s upcoming home race.
The Valkyrie’s current trajectory suggests a maturing platform. Having moved past the phase of basic reliability and system integration, the car is showing consistent competitiveness. Recent results reflect this upward trend, with the Valkyrie securing points finishes in São Paulo and accumulating six top-10 results across seven races in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, including a podium performance by Ross Gunn and Roman De Angelis.
Adam Carter, Head of Endurance Motorsport at Aston Martin, noted that the team has spent the last year and a half systematically cataloguing the Valkyrie’s behavior under race conditions. This granular understanding of the car’s dynamics is now being leveraged to identify specific areas for refinement. According to the team, this transition from observing to active development is essential for closing the gap to the front of the Hypercar pack.
Team Principal Ian James expressed confidence in the progress made during the Silverstone sessions, emphasizing that the findings will dictate the technical roadmap for the coming months. While the Valkyrie has successfully established its presence in the Hypercar class, the focus has shifted toward the marginal gains that define top-tier endurance racing.
With the 95th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans scheduled for June 2027, the stakes for this development cycle are high. The team appears to be building toward a significant push for the next season, treating the current evolution of the car as a vital precursor to their primary objectives. As the manufacturer continues to refine the machine that began as a road-legal concept, the message from the garage remains that the Valkyrie is still far from its performance ceiling.