Genesis signing Daniel Juncadella insists knowledgeable GT driver like him solely wants in the future to rise up to hurry in a hypercar within the World Endurance Championship, taking part in down the problem of the swap.
The Spaniard will be a part of the WEC’s high class in 2026, sharing a Genesis GMR-001 with Mathieu Jaminet and Paul-Loup Chatin as Hyundai’s luxurious marque enters Hypercar.
Juncadella has constructed a broad resume throughout sportscars and tin-tops since leaving single-seaters after his 2012 European Method 3 title. With a title in GT World Problem Europe Endurance Cup, an outright victory within the Spa 24 Hours, plus class wins within the IMSA SportsCar Championship and the WEC, he is likely one of the most achieved drivers in present-day GT racing.
Nevertheless, his prototype expertise is extraordinarily restricted, having solely ventured into LMP2 racing this yr after signing up for the European Le Mans Sequence in anticipation of a Hypercar programme in 2026.
However after a number of winter checks within the Oreca-based GMR-001, Juncadella doesn’t see his GT background as an issue, arguing that LMH and LMDh vehicles usually are not as tough to adapt to as many imagine.
“I am totally prepared. I do not want greater than in the future of testing to be on tempo as a result of it is a massive GT,” he informed Motorsport.com.
“Some producers, some folks and a few high bosses in all probability assume in any other case, that you just want prototype expertise – and that was the rationale why within the final couple of years I felt I by no means bought the prospect – however it’s not true [that you need prototype experience].
“It’s an enormous GT – it is a GT with energy. It has the same pace in low-speed corners to a GT. In fact, it has some downforce, however it’s not like an LMP2. An LMP2 has much more downforce in comparison with a hypercar, in order that’s why we’re on top of things.”
The Hypercar class was designed round a really totally different philosophy from the LMP1 class, a shift mirrored within the lap occasions.
When LMP2 vehicles had been nonetheless eligible within the WEC, rulemakers intentionally slowed them to keep up a spot between the 2 prototype courses.
Even now, Hypercar drivers typically discover it sophisticated to move via LMGT3 visitors, notably in tighter sections round a observe.
Whereas this has decreased the spectacle in comparison with earlier eras, the smaller pace differential has additionally made it simpler for drivers to make the step as much as Hypercar. Porsche and Ferrari, specifically, have discovered success after recruiting a lot of their driver line-ups from the GT ranks.
Juncadella, who raced in LMGT3 with TF Sport Corvette for the previous two seasons, stated he was having fun with his transfer into Hypercar as he ramps up preparation for 2026.
“[Testing has been] excellent. It has been a dream as a result of I have been wanting ahead to this chance for a very long time, to race a hypercar,” he stated.
“So each lap that I am driving that automobile simply feels wonderful, although there’s a number of growth nonetheless occurring behind when it comes to techniques, drivability.
“We have to make a number of steps after all, which is a part of the event, however I like each lap I am doing, so for those who ask me, it is nice.”
Daniel Juncadella, Genesis Magma Racing
Photograph by: Genesis
Genesis will develop into a comparatively late arrival to Hypercar in 2026, 5 seasons after the inception of the category and three years after the brand new breed of LMDh prototypes turned eligible to race within the WEC.
Whereas the South Korean model is pouring a number of assets into its first sportscar programme, Juncadella was eager to downplay any expectations for the 2026 season.
“I feel the primary programme now for Hyundai and Genesis is clearly Hypercar in WEC, and that is fairly cool to see. It is nonetheless early days.
“There’s nonetheless lots of people that should be employed and new folks coming each week, each check, studying new issues, so it is fairly good to be a part of that from the start.
“I feel we should be cautious assessing [our chances]. Whenever you have a look at a lot of the manufacturers, the primary yr is all the time going to be tough.
“However anyway, we aren’t setting our targets on outcomes immediately. It is a long-term challenge. I do not imagine this can be a one-year challenge, so we have to have a look at the lengthy sport and go step-by-step.”
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