Riberas, Tincknell Confirmed as First Valkyrie Hypercar Drivers

Photos: Aston Martin

Alex Riberas and Harry Tincknell have been confirmed as the first two drivers for Aston Martin The Heart of Racing Team’s two-car Hypercar effort in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year.

Riberas, a class-winner in both the WEC and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the Ian James-led organization, will make his top-class prototype debut, while Tincknell returns to the Aston Martin factory fold after his GTE-Pro triumph in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2020.

Tincknell, who Sportscar365 revealed was in the running for a race seat with the Hypercar team, will carry the famed No. 007 on his Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH that will debut in February’s Qatar 1812km, with Riberas in the No. 009 machine.

Additional drivers for the program have not yet been announced ahead of the WEC’s expected entry list reveal on Friday.

“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,” said James.

“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.”

Tincknell will not return to Ford Multimatic Motorsports in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, with his Valkyrie program likely to take full priority.

“It’s been exciting to be a part of the initial development testing, and the DNA of the car feels strong,” he said. “I’m very proud of the hard work everyone has put in so far as we build towards the first race.

“Everyone at Aston Martin THOR Team has made me feel very welcome and I know I’m joining a professional outfit.

“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 added: “It is a great honor to be chosen as a driver for such an exciting project. I have been a part of The Heart of Racing for the past ten 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 sports car 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.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John