Aston Martin: Verstappen tries the Valkyrie, WEC program delayed?
The Red Bull team drivers, Max Verstappen and Alex Albon, tested the new Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar on Tuesday. The race version was supposed to compete in the WEC as early as next September. However, the British manufacturer is expected to announce at least a postponement of the program, if not its cancellation.
From Formula 1 to endurance racing, Aston Martin was everywhere in motorsport news on Tuesday. With one good news and one bad news.
Let’s start with the good news. The drivers of the Aston Martin Red Bull Formula 1 team, Max Verstappen and Alex Albon, tested the new Valkyrie hypercar over a few laps at the Silverstone circuit for the first time.
“I was there to see its first laps at the British Grand Prix last year,” commented Max Verstappen. “But, obviously, it’s better to be behind the wheel and be one of the first to drive a crazy car like that. It was very exciting. It was great to have a first taste. Of course, it is still in the development phase, but you can already feel the pace, which compared to a normal car is… quite different. The Valkyrie and its levels of downforce are incredible. It looks super aggressive. I had a lot of fun.”
Watch as the Bulls jump behind the wheel of the @astonmartin Valkyrie for the very first time at Silverstone! ????
— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) February 18, 2020
Eight Valkyries, powered by a 6.5-liter V12, will be produced by 2021. Three were driven on Tuesday, in the hands of Verstappen and Albon, as well as the two official Aston Martin drivers in WEC, Alex Lynn and Darren Turner.
The WEC program delayed by a year?
Which links to the bad news. According to numerous sources, Aston Martin is expected to at least delay its entry into the World Endurance Championship, if not cancel it altogether. The English firm was supposed to field between two and four Valkyries starting next season in the Hypercar category.
Several signs suggested pessimism. On one hand, Aston Martin has provided very little news since the official announcement of its commitment during the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans. Additionally, the announcement of Lawrence Stroll’s acquisition of part of Aston Martin’s capital and the takeover of the Racing Point team had already raised concerns for the endurance program.
Finally, Aston Martin had indicated that the agreement between IMSA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest on a common platform starting in 2012 was prompting them to consider a possible entry into LMDH, the new American category, rather than in hypercar.
Toyota alone in the world?
If the announcement of Aston Martin’s withdrawal from next season’s WEC is confirmed, Toyota will be the only major manufacturer at the start of the 4 Hours of Silverstone next September.
Regarding small teams, the news is not reassuring. Sports car manufacturer Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus continues to develop its hypercar but has indicated that the timing will be very tight to be ready by September. Rebellion, loyal to the WEC since 2012, is stopping. Ginetta, present this year in LMP1, is unable to complete a full season. Toyota may therefore find itself alone at the start of the 2020/2021 season.
