André Lotterer has hailed the performance of Genesis Magma Racing team-mate Mathys Jaubert in securing pole position for the Korean manufacturer for today’s 6 Hours of Barcelona presented by Visit Qatar (18 October) – a result that Cyril Abiteboul described as a ‘statement’ display.
Genesis is continuing to go from strength-to-strength during its maiden campaign of motorsport competition in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and the brand has showed strong speed in Spain from the beginning of the weekend.
Jaubert and stablemate Mathieu Jaminet then confirmed that potential during qualifying, with the two GMR-001 Hypercars progressing comfortably through the first part of the session in first and third places, before replicating that result in Hyperpole.
It was Jaubert that topped the times in the all-important top ten shootout – in so doing, becoming the youngest driver ever to secure outright pole position for an FIA WEC race at the age of just 21, and as the only Silver-graded driver in the series’ top-tier. Lotterer was suitably impressed.
“It was a mega job by Mathys,” enthused the two-time world champion, who shares the #17 entry with the Provence native and two-time IMSA title-winner ‘Pipo’ Derani. “We knew from the beginning he was quick – that’s why we put him in the car for qualifying – and I think a little star has been born here.
“We’ve had a few milestones in our short journey so far – finishing our first race, scoring our first points – but this is our first real impact and it’s fantastic to achieve a result like this, which is down to a great team effort. We’ve been operating quite well. We’ve had our ups-and-downs and we still need to improve a lot of things, but we’re growing, we’re getting there and this shows we mean serious business.”
Jaubert is a produce of Genesis’ Trajectory Programme, with Team Principal Abiteboul pointing to the rising star’s recent progress as proof of the success of the talent-spotting initiative.
“When we decided to start this journey in FIA WEC, I immediately proposed to the Hyundai management to invest in a young generation of drivers and give a chance to drivers that have maybe been around but not been properly given the opportunity, and that’s what we call our Trajectory Programme, in order to give a trajectory to those people we believe deserve it,” the Frenchman explained.
“Mathys clearly ticked those boxes in all respects. He’s also coming from what we believe is the right type of formula, meaning GT racing. We know the parallel connection that exists between GTs and the type of cars we are racing right now, rather than single-seaters, where we see less connection. It is probably a choice that is validated.
“There’s no better way in sport to show the amount and the quality of the work that has been done than delivering a good result. We’ve been making statements. We’ve felt that the car was good, that the drivers were very capable, and that the team was coming together, but it’s one thing to say it, it’s one thing sometimes to show it in certain situations, but it’s something else when it’s at the right moment, and when it really matters.
“I think here, it really matters. It’s a demanding track. We all know that Barcelona is a benchmark track, so achieving pole here is really good. It’s a small step towards the race, so we need to remain humble – but we are very hungry, too...”
Genesis has also taken advantage of the championship’s first race weekend in Catalunya to confirm Daniel Juncadella as its first driver for 2027. The Spaniard has been a key member of the team and throughout its maiden campaign in the championship, partnering Paul-Loup Chatin and Mathieu Jaminet in the #19 GMR-001 and contributing significantly to the development of the Korean prototype. The trio tallied their best result to-date with 11th place last time out at Fuji.
“I’m already massively motivated for next year,” commented Juncadella. “My first season in Hypercar has been a valuable experience. As a rookie, even at 35, there were still a lot of things to learn, but I feel like I have got better and better through the season, and so has the team.
“It’s great to receive this news at my home race, because I have my family and friends around to enjoy the moment with me. Racing in Barcelona in FIA WEC is something I never really expected – and being part of the event while confirming my place in the team has left me really pumped up for the race.”
“Dani’s performances this season have been consistently impressive, and his recent FIA WEC experience has been very important to the team,” added Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director, Gabriele Tarquini. “I’m very happy that we can confirm him for 2027, and I hope we can achieve further milestones together in the final two rounds of this season.”
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