Why Genesis evaluated F1 programme but chose WEC

Luxurious automobile model Genesis says it did consider a possible entry into Formulation 1 previous to deciding that it might decide to an LMDh programme for the 2026 World Endurance Championship as an alternative.

The South Korean producer formally launched its Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar plans on Wednesday night in Dubai, revealing a scale mannequin and pictures of the automobile idea that may start testing subsequent 12 months.

The WEC choice comes after it spent quite a lot of time evaluating the place it might enter circuit racing, and selecting which class would greatest swimsuit its ambition.

And whereas F1 was on its radar, the corporate finally concluded that committing to an endurance programme was the very best factor for it.

Luc Donckerwolke, the chief artistic officer of the Hyundai Motor Group and the Genesis automotive model, stated that whereas the corporate had a number of former F1 figures on board – together with former workforce boss Cyril Abiteboul – the choice was firmly that sportscars was a greater match for it proper now.

“Clearly, after we focus on about excessive efficiency and we focus on a potential participation in motorsport, having folks, key folks, having sure expertise in motorsport and in Formulation 1, we clearly have talked about it [F1],” he stated.

“However clearly now we have determined to go for endurance. The long run will inform. However initially, now we have a mission, and the mission is endurance racing. After which let’s meet in some years, and we’d then open up, however for the time being, that is actually clear. Our mission is endurance.”

Donckerwolke defined that there have been key advantages to being concerned in WEC that will not be potential from an F1 entry.

George Russell, Mercedes F1 W15, Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing RB20, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, the remainder of the sector initially

Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photographs

“I feel the primary one is having a direct relationship to our line-up of automobiles,” he stated. ”It’s a lot nearer, and likewise the general public, the viewers, is definitely nearer to the kind of autos we promote.

“We thought clearly endurance racing is appropriate with our model values as nicely. We do not need to come to motorsport and do it the identical manner.

“We’re extra than simply an automotive model, now we have quite a lot of know-how and potential that we wish to apply, not solely to clearly the autos, but in addition to the surroundings and sustainability. We intention to have, to illustrate, a extra sustainable logistic system with hydrogen.

“Now we have Boston Dynamics by robotics, the place we intention to make the lifetime of the crew workforce simpler and higher by supporting them with robotics.

“So there’s quite a lot of issues we need to apply. This isn’t only a advertising and marketing device, it is a severe speak, as we need to add one other worth to our motorsport programme.”

Donckerwolke additionally stated that using hybrid know-how in WEC was a crucial component behind its selection too.

He added: “It is extremely essential for us to race and to get a return on funding. And by that, I do not imply advertising and marketing or no matter. I imply in addition to technological know-how, and likewise inspiration for the design.

“We’re getting into a section the place every little thing is feasible with new powertrains, so that is the best second to get, to illustrate, a special really feel, to encourage us. And this is likely one of the massive motivations of getting into this class of motorsport racing.

Genesis LMDh

Picture by: Genesis

“However there’s additionally the aerodynamic analysis we’re doing, which is relevant greater than should you do, as an example, open-wheel racing. That could be a fully completely different self-discipline, which is the place the learnings are tough to switch into regular autos that are our core enterprise.

“So for this reason we imagine in endurance, and likewise as a result of now we have at all times recognized our automobiles as being a bit bit the grand tourer, the Gran Turismo automobiles, so the gentleman driver.

“And that is truly the essence of endurance racing. It has been the self-discipline of the gentleman drivers. So we imagine that there’s absolute compatibility from that viewpoint as nicely.”

With Genesis committing to sportscars for now, workforce principal Abiteboul stated that ideas of any potential F1 programme have been very far-off.

“It is a model technique,” he stated. “I feel what we’re doing and what we’re saying now makes full sense from a model technique. And I feel that is the main target of as of late, of those years, it is greater than sufficient to execute that proper.”