After eight years of anticipation, the Aston Martin Valkyrie is finally here. Originally unveiled in 2015 as a collaboration between Aston Martin and Red Bull Racing, this hypercar is the brainchild of Formula 1 engineering legend Adrian Newey. With 1,140bhp and a price tag of £2.5 million, the Valkyrie has endured a complex development process, outlasting two Aston Martin CEOs. Now, with most of the 150 customer cars delivered, we finally get behind the wheel of this long-awaited masterpiece.
A Hypercar Like No Other
Our test drive takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit, one of the few locations capable of unleashing the full potential of the Valkyrie. The first impressions are immediate and undeniable: this is the most extreme road-legal production car ever built. While other high-performance machines come close in raw speed, none match the Valkyrie’s track-bred aggression combined with a number plate.
Every detail of the Valkyrie embodies Newey’s relentless pursuit of perfection. Aston Martin’s head of design, Miles Nurnberger, recalls the painstaking precision required to meet Newey’s uncompromising standards. Even minor design adjustments, such as an 8mm increase in cockpit space, were hard-won victories, celebrated by the engineering team.
Despite this, the Valkyrie remains an incredibly tight fit for occupants. A passenger ride at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2021 demonstrated just how snug the cabin is, making long journeys with a co-driver a challenge. However, for those willing to squeeze in, the experience promises to be unforgettable.
Inside the Valkyrie: A Formula 1 Experience for the Road
Climbing into the Valkyrie is a feat in itself, requiring drivers to navigate over large side pods and through narrow doors. Once seated, the driving position is akin to that of a prototype race car. Legroom is sufficient, but elbow space is restricted by the car’s ultra-narrow tub. The seat’s lower padding has been removed to accommodate a helmet, ensuring the driver’s head does not press against the roof—a necessity even for those under six feet tall.
The view from the cockpit is equally striking. The curved, canopy-style windscreen creates a sensation of being inside a high-tech endurance racer. A small touchscreen—Aston Martin’s first—sits within easy reach, while video screens display the feed from the car’s rear-view cameras. Almost all key functions, including chassis settings and the ERS boost button, are housed within the squared-off steering wheel.
Performance That Redefines Road Cars
Powering the Valkyrie is a 6.5-litre V12 developed by Cosworth, paired with a 141bhp electric motor positioned between the engine and a seven-speed sequential gearbox. The electric motor serves a dual purpose: providing an extra burst of power when needed and smoothing gear changes by filling the torque gaps.
Starting the engine is an event in itself. The V12 cranks for several seconds before firing to build oil pressure, erupting into life with a deafening growl. Even at idle, the engine vibrates through the carbon-fibre monocoque, sending shivers down the spine. With a redline north of 11,000rpm, the sound alone is enough to evoke the spirit of Formula 1.
On the track, the Valkyrie is finally able to showcase its full capabilities. In Track mode, the car lowers itself to improve aerodynamics, with active winglets and flaps generating up to 1,100kg of downforce. Unlike early prototypes, the production model features a fully operational active suspension and stability control system, providing confidence-inspiring handling at extreme speeds.
A Vision Realised
The Aston Martin Valkyrie is a triumph of engineering, an uncompromising vision brought to life by one of the greatest minds in motorsport. It delivers a level of performance never before seen in a road-legal car, bridging the gap between Formula 1 and the real world. While its extreme nature means it may never be a practical daily driver, for those fortunate enough to experience it, the Valkyrie represents the pinnacle of automotive achievement.