Juncadella, Jaubert Land Genesis LMDh Seats

Genesis Magma Racing has announced that Daniel Juncadella and Mathys Jaubert will be part of its FIA World Endurance Championship driver roster in 2026.

The Hyundai-owned luxury marque named Juncadella and Jaubert as is third and fourth drivers on Thursday, the pair joining development drivers Andre Lotterer and Pipo Derani on its roster for its debut WEC campaign with the GMR-001.

Current Corvette Racing factory driver Juncadella and Jaubert are both part of the Genesis ‘Trajectory Programme’-backed IDEC Sport LMP2 effort in the European Le Mans Series alongside Jamie Chadwick, with the trio coming off the back of a third victory in five races in last week’s penultimate round of the season at Silverstone.

Team principal Cyril Abiteboul said the decision to promote Juncadella and Jaubert was made on the basis of their rapid adaptation to LMP2 in the ELMS.

“The target for the ‘trajectory program’ was always to support drivers and give them the opportunity to prove they could step up to our WEC line-up,” said Abiteboul. “That we are already in a position where we can bring Mathys and Dani in for 2026 is a massive credit to them.

“Together with Jamie Chadwick, Mathys and Dani have adapted brilliantly to prototype racing, as their performances since the first race of the ELMS season show. More importantly, they improved during the season, learning from each weekend, something which we expect to continue with their arrival in Hypercar.

“We took some risks to look outside of Prototype racing for our ‘trajectory program’ drivers. It is another risk to bring them into our WEC line-up for 2026, but risks can bring rewards as we’ve seen.

“In Mathys and Dani we have two drivers who are new to Hypercar that have the opportunity to show their abilities and create some surprises, just as they have in LMP2.”

Juncadella, who only joined the Genesis-backed IDEC lineup when Formula 1 exile Logan Sargeant dropped out of the team, previously told Sportscar365 it was “no secret” he hoped this opportunity would lead to a seat in the WEC.

“It’s been my goal for the last couple of years to step up to the Hypercar class,” said Juncadella. “I’ve been racing for the last two years in WEC in the LMGT3 class, so it fits well for me to step up in a championship that I know very well.

“It’s perfect as well to do it with Genesis Magma Racing, to be starting from scratch with brand that will hopefully be in the championship for many years.”

Jaubert meanwhile has proven a revelation in his first season of LMP2 competition, the 20-year-old Frenchman having been selected by Genesis off the back of success in one-make Porsche competition in Europe and Asia.

“I’m really excited to be joining the Genesis Magma Racing WEC line-up,” said Jaubert. “For me, it’s a big step in my career and a chance to measure myself against the best in the world.

“The ‘trajectory program’ and my experience in ELMS have been invaluable, not only in learning the technical side and managing long stints, but also in understanding the teamwork and consistency needed at this level. In the WEC this is even more important, so it great to immediately start working with the team at the tests.”

Although Genesis’ statement said that Juncadella and Jaubert will be part of “upcoming tests” in the GMR-001, it’s understood that both already had their first taste of the ORECA-chassied LMDh in a test this week at Portimao.

Thursday’s announcement leaves two spots left to fill on the Genesis roster for its first WEC season.

One of these looks all but certain to go to Stoffel Vandoorne, who will bow out of his Peugeot drive after next week’s 6 Hours of Fuji, vacating his seat for the Bahrain season finale in favor of 2026 signing Theo Pourchaire.

Paul-Loup Chatin, who has close links with IDEC, looks to be the favorite for the final seat after it emerged this month he has served Alpine notice of his intention to leave.

Chadwick, meanwhile, will remain on Genesis’ books next year, with details of her 2026 program to be confirmed at a later date.