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Valkyrie Charges Into Le Mans Contention With Spa Breakthrough
TL;DR
Aston Martin's Valkyrie Hypercar finished fourth at Spa-Francorchamps, showcasing its competitiveness ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The car came within five seconds of victory in a dramatic FIA World Endurance Championship race.
Key points
- Aston Martin's Valkyrie finished fourth at Spa-Francorchamps
- The performance was a strong statement ahead of Le Mans
- The Valkyrie came within five seconds of victory
- The race featured multiple Safety Cars and late-race battles
- This was the Valkyrie's 10th WEC appearance
Mentioned in this story
Spa-Francorchamps
Aston MartinFIA World Endurance Championship24 Hours of Le Mans
2026 FIA World Endurance Championship Spa Francorchamps, Belgium 6th - 9th May 2026 Photo: Drew Gibson
Drew Gibson
Aston Martin’s Valkyrie Hypercar delivered its strongest statement yet ahead of next month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing fourth at Spa-Francorchamps in a dramatic FIA World Endurance Championship race that underlined the car’s growing competitiveness at the top level of endurance racing.
In only its 10th WEC appearance since debuting in Qatar last season, the British-built Valkyrie came within five seconds of victory at the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa, emerging as one of the standout performers in a chaotic race that featured multiple Safety Cars, late-race battles and relentless wheel-to-wheel action.
Sharing the #007 Aston Martin THOR Team entry, British drivers Harry Tincknell and Tom Gamble combined sharp racecraft with clever strategy to put the Valkyrie firmly into contention during the closing stages. Tincknell charged through the field with a pair of decisive overtakes that lifted the car from 10th to eighth in a single lap, while a well-timed Safety Car period allowed the team to synchronize its fuel strategy with its Hypercar rivals.
As the race entered its final hour, Gamble found himself locked in a tense five-car scrap for second place. The closing minutes produced a frantic sprint to the flag, with the Briton narrowly avoiding a spinning Alpine through Eau Rouge before passing a Toyota to secure fourth place with less than five minutes remaining.
2026 FIA World Endurance Championship Spa Francorchamps, Belgium May 6th - 9th 2026 Photo: Michele Scudiero / Drew Gibson Photography
Michele Scudiero / Drew Gibson Photography
The result marked not only Valkyrie’s best finish in the WEC, but also the strongest race yet for the #007 crew, who claimed their second consecutive points finish. Aston Martin now sits fourth in the Hypercar Manufacturers’ standings, while Gamble and Tincknell move up to ninth in the drivers’ championship.
Q&A
How did Aston Martin's Valkyrie perform at the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship?
The Valkyrie finished fourth at Spa-Francorchamps, marking its strongest performance to date.
What was the significance of the Valkyrie's fourth-place finish at Spa?
The fourth-place finish highlights the Valkyrie's growing competitiveness as it prepares for the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans.
What challenges did the Valkyrie face during the Spa race?
The race featured multiple Safety Cars and intense wheel-to-wheel battles, making it a chaotic and competitive event.