For 21-year-old Mathys Jaubert, it’s been a whirlwind since he emerged as one of endurance racing’s brightest prospects last year, balancing an engineering degree with a head-turning campaign in LMP2 with IDEC Sport as part of the Genesis Trajectory Programme.
A year on from his breakout performances in the early rounds of the 2025 ELMS season, his life has changed dramatically. He’s traded lecture halls for life as a factory driver, become part of Genesis Magma Racing’s fledgling Hypercar programme, and, almost as an added bonus, won his class at the Spa 24 Hours last weekend and heads into the second half of the ELMS season leading the LMGT3 championship.
The young Frenchman has been impressive in his ability to adapt quickly to wearing multiple hats. Alongside his commitments with Genesis in the FIA World Endurance Championship, Jaubert has embraced an entirely new discipline in GT3 racing this year with Kessel Racing.
Driving its #57 ‘Car Guy’ Ferrari 296 in LMGT3, a podium at Barcelona and a win at Paul Ricard have put him, Daniel Serra and Bronze-graded Takeshi Kimura at the top of the standings heading into this weekend’s 4 Hours of Imola.
“I was a bit surprised,” Jaubert admits to DSC when asked about leading the championship. “The line-up is very good in ELMS. It’s all about what the Bronze driver is doing, the strategy and how the race unfolds with Full Course Yellows and Virtual Safety Cars.
“So far, Takeshi has done an amazing job, no mistakes at all, always on the pace with the other Bronze drivers. Daniel is very strong, and the team has done an amazing job every time.”
For this weekend, expectations are being kept in check at Kessel. Banking any number of points and retaining the championship lead is the primary objective, rather than extending the podium streak. The 296 is running as the heaviest car in the class according to the latest BoP table; the #57 crew is carrying an additional 35 kilos of success ballast, and the ELMS LMGT3 class is hotly contested again.
Jaubert’s also still searching for his first standout result at the fabled Imola circuit.
“I’ve raced here two times in the Porsche Cup, both DNFs,” he adds. “And in ELMS last year, with IDEC, there were some mistakes, and we finished two laps down. Then, in WEC, it was the first-ever race for Genesis, so it was more about getting to the end. So let’s see what happens this weekend.”
The move to Kessel had been in the works long before the season began. Jaubert knew that, with Genesis’ Hypercar commitments taking priority, any additional program needed to fit around the WEC calendar and his commitments off-track with the Korean OEM. But interestingly, his preference was always to gain GT3 experience rather than add a secondary LMP2 programme alongside his WEC role.
Conversations with Genesis driver advisor Gabriele Tarquini and Esteban Masson, who has raced for Kessel, ultimately opened the door.
I’m now used to jumping into different cars. I think one of my strengths is adapting
“I wanted to race in GT, whether that was GT World Challenge or ELMS, something without clashes with WEC,” he explained. “They put me in contact with Kessel. I did a test, it went very well, and then they signed me.”
That decision reflected a broader philosophy. While many Hypercar drivers continue racing LMP2 between WEC events to maintain mileage, Jaubert saw greater long-term value in broadening his skillset.
“The priority was GT3,” he said. “I wanted to learn something new, enter a new category, improve myself, learn a new car and work in a different environment.”
The adaptation has been a challenge. Although Jaubert’s background came in GT machinery, with stints in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, France, and the Supercup, the Ferrari 296 GT3 requires a “completely different” driving style.
“It’s another kind of car, with the engine further towards the middle, a lot more downforce, and the turbo changes how the power comes in,” he says. “But I’m now used to jumping into different cars. I think one of my strengths is adapting.”
Having raced LMP2 last season and spent half of this year switching between Hypercars and GT3s, Jaubert believes he’s now a lot more capable of managing traffic.
“I know what the others are thinking when they’re in the car,” he explains. “I know where the best places are for prototypes to overtake and where I can lose or gain time by helping them through. Sometimes it’s better not to defend because you lose too much momentum.”
That measured approach also reflects his mentality behind the wheel. Even with a championship lead to protect and the very real prospect of a multi-car title showdown at Portimão at the end of the year, Jaubert insists he isn’t changing the way he approaches race weekends.
“I’m someone who thinks a lot and doesn’t take unnecessary risks,” he says. “If I have an opportunity, I’ll go for it, but I’m always thinking about what I can gain and what I can lose. Whether I’m leading the championship or not doesn’t really change that.”
Away from ELMS, he’s had to make some important decisions as he looks to forge a lengthy career in the sport.
Jaubert’s promotion to Genesis Magma Racing’s factory Hypercar programme meant putting his engineering studies on hold, a decision he admits wasn’t easy after successfully combining university with 25 race weekends during 2024.
“As a Hypercar driver, you’re not only racing,” he explains. “You’re at the workshop almost every weekend, working with the engineers, on the simulator and helping develop the car.
“It’s not only driving. It’s being an ambassador for the brand and helping improve the car. That’s a lot more work.”
Fortunately, he says, the environment has accelerated his development.
“I’m with fantastic teammates. I listen to them a lot and learn a lot from them. They are helping me grow and gain as much experience as possible.”
Next week, Jaubert will switch focus back to Genesis and the GMR-001’s first flyaway WEC race at Interlagos. The team heads to Brazil fresh from a head-turning performance at Le Mans last month looking to make further progress with the GMR-001.
A suspension failure ultimately prevented a finish for Jaubert’s #17 car at La Sarthe, but the sister car made the finish, and the GMR-001’s pace exceeded expectations after the team made significant strides with the car’s software and systems side between Spa and Le Mans.
“I think we surprised some people,” he reflects. “It was a big gain for the engineers. The system side is where we can improve the most now because the aero, engine and chassis are good.
“It’s the ORECA chassis, I think, that has been key to us improving so quickly. If you look back at the Alpine, it was strong in the first year. It’s a good foundation, and it’s so nice to drive.
“We still have more updates coming for São Paulo and the remaining races. We’re still very humble. The goal is to keep improving the car, but I think we can target a top 10 finish again.”
For Jaubert, the dual programmes are closely linked rather than competing priorities. Every GT3 lap adds another layer to his education as a factory driver, while his Hypercar experience sharpens his racecraft in ELMS.
That connection could become even more significant in the future if Genesis decides to expand into GT3 competition, something the Korean manufacturer has already signalled with the unveiling of its GT3 concept at Le Mans.
“If one day Genesis builds this GT3 car, obviously that’s my goal,” Jaubert says. “That’s also why I’m here racing in GT3 now. I’m gaining experience, I’m enjoying it a lot, and I hope I’ll be one of the drivers if that project happens.”
Images courtesy of ELMS, Genesis and DSC
