Genesis Brand Set To Compete In Prototype Endurance Racing By 2026

Published: Thursday, September 12, 2024, 17:00 [IST]

Hyundai is set to enter the top tier of prototype endurance racing through its premium Genesis brand. The company has confirmed plans to build a racer adhering to the LMDh (Le Mans Daytona h) rules, although no specific timeline has been announced yet.

Genesis Likely to Make Endurance Racing Debut in 2026

A joint statement from Hyundai and Genesis revealed their ambitious plans. "Genesis is proud to announce its ambitious entry into the world of endurance racing through the LMDh programme. Genesis is actively exploring programmes to strengthen its high-performance image, and after a thorough evaluation of various options, LMDh emerged as the most strategic choice for us at this time."

The LMDh category allows teams to compete in both the USA-based IMSA championship and the World Endurance Championship (WEC). These cars are loosely based on LMP2 machinery, with the chassis supplied by one of four manufacturers: Ligier, Dallara, Oreca, or Multimatic.

Hyundai's Racing History

Hyundai Motorsport has achieved significant success in various racing formats. The brand won the World Rally Championship (WRC) manufacturers' titles in 2019 and 2020. Additionally, Hyundai has secured four world-level titles in TCR sanctioned competitions.

Genesis will join other manufacturers like BMW, Porsche, Lamborghini, and Alpine in the LMDh category. However, it remains uncertain if Genesis will compete simultaneously in both WEC and IMSA. The WEC has indicated that Genesis' participation is subject to approval by its Selection Committee.

"We have carefully analysed LMDh and found it to be a natural fit for our motorsport ambitions and a valuable platform to drive the development of future mobility technologies for road cars," stated Hyundai and Genesis.

While Hyundai has raced in lower classes of endurance racing before, this marks its first venture into top-tier competition. Reports suggest that Hyundai is aiming for a 2026 debut for its Genesis brand in endurance racing. The move into LMDh aligns with Hyundai's strategy to bolster its high-performance image and develop future mobility technologies. This new venture could potentially elevate Hyundai's status within the motorsport community.

The entry into endurance racing represents a significant step for Hyundai as it seeks to expand its presence in global motorsport events. This initiative could also pave the way for advancements in their consumer vehicle technologies. Hyundai's commitment to motorsport innovation continues with this latest endeavour. As they prepare for their anticipated 2026 debut, all eyes will be on how Genesis performs against established competitors like BMW and Porsche.