Genesis signing Daniel Juncadella insists knowledgeable GT driver like him solely wants someday to stand up to hurry in a hypercar within the World Endurance Championship, taking part in down the issue of the change.
The Spaniard will be part of the WEC’s prime 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 12 months after signing up for the European Le Mans Sequence in anticipation of a Hypercar programme in 2026.
However after a number of winter assessments within the Oreca-based GMR-001, Juncadella doesn’t see his GT background as an issue, arguing that LMH and LMDh vehicles will not be as tough to adapt to as many imagine.
“I am absolutely prepared. I do not want greater than someday of testing to be on tempo as a result of it is a massive GT,” he instructed Motorsport.com.
“Some producers, some folks and a few prime bosses most likely assume in any other case, that you simply want prototype expertise – and that was the explanation why within the final couple of years I felt I by no means received the possibility – nevertheless 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, nevertheless it’s not like an LMP2. An LMP2 has much more downforce in comparison with a hypercar, in order that’s why we’re up to the mark.”
The Hypercar class was designed round a really completely different philosophy from the LMP1 class, a shift mirrored within the lap instances.
When LMP2 vehicles had been nonetheless eligible within the WEC, rulemakers intentionally slowed them to keep up a spot between the 2 prototype lessons.
Even now, Hypercar drivers usually discover it difficult to cross by way of 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, particularly, 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, mentioned he was having fun with his transfer into Hypercar as he ramps up preparation for 2026.
“[Testing has been] superb. It has been a dream as a result of I have been trying ahead to this chance for a very long time, to race a hypercar,” he mentioned.
“So each lap that I am driving that automotive simply feels wonderful, despite the fact that there’s plenty of growth nonetheless taking place behind by way of programs, drivability.
“We have to make plenty of steps in fact, 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 plenty of assets into its first sportscar programme, Juncadella was eager to downplay any expectations for the 2026 season.
“I believe 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 must be employed and new folks coming each week, each take a look at, studying new issues, so it is fairly good to be a part of that from the start.
“I believe we must be cautious assessing [our chances]. Once you take a look at a lot of the manufacturers, the primary 12 months is at all times going to be tough.
“However anyway, we’re not setting our targets on outcomes immediately. It is a long-term venture. I do not imagine it is a one-year venture, so we have to take a look at the lengthy recreation and go step-by-step.”
Learn Additionally:
We wish your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Group
