Hyundai have announced that they will be committing to the top class of World Endurance Championship racing under the name of their luxury sub-brand, Genesis.
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In a statement, the Korean manufacturer said: “Hyundai’s luxury brand Genesis has today made official its intention to join endurance racing in the near future. Potential FIA World Endurance Championship entry remains subject to WEC Selection Committee approval.
“The LMDh program will add a new pillar to Hyundai Motorsport’s portfolio. Since its establishment in 2012, Hyundai Motorsport has been competing in WRC and TCR with Hyundai N brand. Genesis, the premium brand of the Hyundai Motor Group, will add endurance racing to the disciplines of its motorsport activities.
“[It] is part of a broader vision for the future of mobility.” They added.
French constructor ORECA is set to design and build the Hypercar, which is anticipated to hit the track as early as 2026.
It is expected that ORECA manufacture parts of the chassis for Hyundai, similarly to how they currently manufacture parts of the chassis for WEC team Alpine and LMDh team Acura.
Embed from Getty ImagesGenesis are known as the luxury line-up of Hyundai and Kia, beginning as its own brand in 2015. The brand expanded to the global market in 2016, along with joining the UK market in 2021.
As of October 2023, the brand has sold one million vehicles worldwide.
Former Renault F1 team principal Cyril Abiteboul is the current president of Hyundai Motorsport Global, and has made it clear that the organisation can run two major motorsport programmes at the same time.
Ex-Formula 1 driver and touring car driver Gabriele Tarquini is set to take a senior management role in the upcoming endurance program for the team. The Italian racing veteran won the 2018 WTCR title with a Hyundai customer team.
Hyundai’s first foray into motorsports came in 1998, when they joined the World Rally Cup (F2 class). The team then joined the top class, World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2000. They withdrew from the series in 2003, but returned 11 years later with the Hyundai i20 WRC.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe team took back-to-back WRC manufacturers championships in 2019 and 2020.
in 2018, Hyundai ventured into the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR), along with competing in the 24h of Nürburgring with the i30N. In 2024, the Korean outfit took their fourth consecutive class win at the infamous green hell circuit.
The most recent new category which Hyundai have undertaken is the Pikes Peak Hillclimb with the Ioniq 5 N. With a time of 9:30.852, it set a new record for the fastest Electric Modified and Production SUV/Crossover category.
