Aston Martin plans a 2027 upgrade for its Valkyrie Le Mans Hypercar, marking the first major overhaul of the V12‑powered prototype.
Aston Martin’s 2027 Valkyrie Upgrade
Team principal Ian James confirms talks are underway to introduce “evo jokers” that could patch the car’s underlying weaknesses for its third season in the World Endurance Championship and IMSA SportsCar Championship.
Evo Jokers and Class Evolution
The Valkyrie has demonstrated remarkable reliability across both series, yet the podium count remains low, with only a second place in last year’s IMSA finale at Petit Le Mans.
James explains that the class has evolved faster than expected; Ferrari’s recent comprehensive changes and the emergence of Genesis threaten to cap the Valkyrie’s performance window.
The move would be Aston Martin’s first use of evo jokers for a prototype, unlike peers who have already deployed similar upgrades.
Development Focus and Driver Insight
Factory driver Ross Gunn describes the effort as a constant search for fixes tailored to 2027, noting particular difficulty in IMSA street and bumpy tracks.
“Everything is in the works,” Gunn says, “and we’re looking at areas to improve.” Multimatic, James and Aston Martin collaborate closely to deliver these changes for future campaigns.
Recent Race Performance
At the 2026 Le Mans 24 Hours, the after‑race performance saw the leading non‑hybrid Valkyrie finish eighth, trailing Toyota by several minutes of excess aero drag.
Despite the gaps, the team remains committed to maximizing the existing package before deeper revisions.
Photo by: Emanuele Clivati | AG Photo
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