Toyota has responded to Aston Martin’s postponement of the Valkyrie Le Mans Hypercar program, stating that it will confirm its position on the situation “in due course”.

Aston Martin announced on Wednesday morning that it is putting its return to top-level sports car racing on hold and that the Valkyrie won’t be on the grid for the 2020-21 WEC season.

The first term of the new LMH regulations was set to involve Aston Martin and Toyota as the two leading OEM manufacturers.

But Aston’s withdrawal seven months before the inaugural LMH race has left Toyota and Glickenhaus as the only fully committed constructors, while ByKolles is also known to have been working on an entry.

A statement provided by a Toyota spokesperson offered the Japanese brand’s initial take on Wednesday’s development.

“We are aware of Aston Martin’s announcement and we regret their decision,” it read.

“Aston Martin’s circumstances are very different from our own, so we will consider the situation and confirm our position in due course.”

Toyota and Aston Martin committed to LMH on the same day last June, shortly after details of the regulations were announced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

While Aston pledged to enter with a car based on the production Valkyrie, Toyota opted to produce an all-out prototype based on its GR Super Sport Concept design.

Whilst competing in the 2019-20 WEC season with its TS050 Hybrid LMP1 car, Toyota has been developing its LMH machine to be ready in time for the formula’s September debut.

However, the manufacturer has made no secret of the timing challenges it faces despite being in a slightly advantageous situation thanks to its LMP1 involvement.

Further comment is expected to come from senior Toyota personnel during this weekend’s Lone Star Le Mans WEC race at Circuit of The Americas.