Alex Riberas faced a pivotal moment in his career during the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship’s 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, where he qualified 18th in the Hypercar class, driving the #009 Aston Martin Valkyrie for the Aston Martin Thor Team.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie, a car making its mark in the world of endurance racing, bore the weight of anticipation not only for Riberas but for the team as a whole. The Valkyrie’s development has been closely monitored and while qualifying outside the top fifteen may seem like a setback, it must be viewed through the lens of ongoing development and the steep learning curve associated with a brand-new racing programme.
Riberas’s journey in the FIA World Endurance Championship began in earnest in 2023, where he made his debut under considerable pressure. The initial races presented a series of challenges, including technical issues and reliability concerns that are all too common for newly launched hypercars. Riberas and his team faced a tough learning curve, which was accentuated by the formidable competition they encountered on the circuit. Racing against established hypercar teams meant that they could not afford to be complacent, and the need to gather data while improving the car’s setup loomed large over them.
The race in Qatar, which was part of his earlier WEC season, encapsulated the unpredictable nature of endurance racing. Riberas and his team battled with reliability issues—having to pit to replace a missing door on the Valkyrie while also witnessing the withdrawal of their sister car due to a transmission failure. Despite these hurdles, Riberas emphasised the importance of simply finishing the race and acquiring valuable information for future improvements—a mindset that reflects both realism and resilience.
As he stood poised to tackle the challenges of Spa, the emphasis remained on performance stability and consistency rather than sheer position on the grid. The team aimed to cement their footing in the hypercar category, and Riberas’s calm approach is indicative of a driver who understands the broader picture. His comments post-race reveal a clear understanding that endurance racing often prioritises long-term developments over immediate results.
Looking ahead, Riberas is undoubtedly focused on optimising the Valkyrie’s performance, harnessing the gathered data to make incremental gains. The adjustments made will be crucial as he continues to strive towards competitive finishes in the upcoming races, laying the groundwork for what he hopes will be a successful campaign.
