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Heart of Racing Says Valkyrie GTP Next Year Is Too Soon for Rising IMSA Star Barrichello
Highlights
- Dudu Barrichello’s Valkyrie GTP move delayed beyond 2025.
- Heart of Racing focuses on internal driver development strategy.
- Barrichello earned three IMSA GTD podiums and two poles in 2026.
- He gained two podiums in four World Endurance Championship starts.
- Barrichello emphasizes patience and skill growth in endurance racing.
Heart of Racing principal Ian James rules out a 2025 promotion for 25-year-old Brazilian Eduardo “Dudu” Barrichello to Aston Martin’s Valkyrie GTP, preferring preparation after a breakout 2026 GT campaign.
The priority is timing, not haste. James stresses readiness for prototype intensity and maintains the program’s measured pathway for emerging talent.
Dudu Barrichello’s Valkyrie GTP step will not happen in 2025.
Heart of Racing fields the Valkyrie AMR in WEC Hypercar and IMSA’s GTP division under the Aston Martin THOR Team banner.
That structure backs a clear pathway, exemplified by promotions for Roman De Angelis and Ross Gunn.
Co-piloting the #27 Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, Barrichello’s IMSA GTD season features ten starts, three podiums, two poles, and third in the standings after leading roughly half the campaign.
Three IMSA GTD podiums and two poles underline his 2026 form.
He also claims two podiums from four WEC outings. The Valkyrie remains the target, but he accepts a longer apprenticeship.
Endurance racing demands adaptation. Barrichello highlights car-sharing, tyre and brake preservation, and pacing for co-drivers as central adjustments from sprint racing habits.
He notes significant scope to improve judgement across long stints, balancing aggression with restraint to avoid burning track position or compromising teammates.
Two WEC podiums from four starts strengthen his case.
James’s stance reflects risk management. A premature prototype switch can blunt development; accumulated GT mileage should raise Barrichello’s operating window before any Valkyrie seat.
The internal plan also buffers the wider Aston Martin effort, aligning driver readiness with program peaks across WEC and IMSA.
Heart of Racing prioritizes internal development before prototype promotion.
IMSA’s 2027 picture is already active, with shifts like Vesti’s Cadillac IMSA 2027 program, Cadillac’s 2027 WEC signings, and Bartone’s GetSpeed IMSA 2027 plans reshaping competitive baselines.
Against that volatility, Heart of Racing keeps Barrichello in GTs to consolidate execution, so any eventual GTP step lands him as a net contributor from day one.
Visual Summary
Patience on the Climb: Barrichello’s Journey Continues
“Driving a hypercar is my dream—but there’s a lot of room for improvement. Step by step, I’ll get there.”
— Dudu Barrichello
— Dudu Barrichello
3
Podiums
Podiums
2
Poles
Poles
IMSA
P3
P3
Heart of Racing sees big potential in Barrichello,
but insists the step to Valkyrie GTP must wait.
Development first. The summit comes later.
but insists the step to Valkyrie GTP must wait.
Development first. The summit comes later.
James William covers the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, from the Rolex 24 at Daytona to sprint-race formats. His reports include prototype performance reviews, GT class battles, and pit-stop strategy insights for endurance-racing fans.
