Genesis signing Mathieu Jaminet explains “heavy” Porsche exit

Mathieu Jaminet has opened up about his emotional decision to leave Porsche and move to rival Genesis for the 2026 World Endurance Championship.

Jaminet has been associated with Porsche for his entire professional racing career, having first joined the German manufacturer as a junior driver in 2016. He rose through the ranks to become a factory driver, initially competing in GTs before getting a prototype seat at the advent of Porsche’s LMDh project in 2023.

But at the end of last month, it was revealed that the Bahrain WEC finale would be his last race with Porsche, as he embarks on a new chapter in 2026. It was subsequently confirmed that he will join Genesis’ new LMDh programme in Hypercar next year.

The Frenchman even raced a special helmet at the Bahrain International Circuit on 8 November to mark the end of his decade-long stint with Porsche.

Speaking in Sakhir, Jaminet explained the rationale behind his move and how difficult it was for him to part ways with Porsche.

“It feels heavy on my heart, obviously,” Jaminet told Motorsport.com. “It’s hard to think and hard to believe it’s the last one with Porsche. It’s an emotional weekend for sure.

“It was a heavy decision to take from my side — to decide to do something else. But the decision in the end came from my heart. It came from me talking to myself and discussing with myself on what I want to do next and what were my wishes and how do I get a better driver, how do I want life to be.

“I just felt it was the right time to move on and this is how it came up.”

Jaminet has enjoyed considerable success with Porsche in the last decade. His first major milestone came in 2018 when he won the GT Masters title for Precote Herberth Motorsport together with Robert Renauer.

Another landmark followed in 2022 when he clinched the IMSA GTD Pro, teaming up with Matt Campbell at Pfaff Motorsport.

Jaminet and Campbell stepped up to the rebranded GTP class together the following year, scoring a maiden win for the Porsche 963 at Long Beach.

The duo also claimed this year’s IMSA GTP title, just weeks before Jaminet announced his decision to leave Porsche.

The 31-year-old’s other successes include outright victories in the Dubai 24 Hours and the Kyalami 9 Hour, as well as a class win in the Daytona 24 Hours.

Reflecting on his time with Porsche, Jaminet emphasised the success they achieved together and how their relationship endured for so long.

“It’s still hard to put things in perspective, but I can definitely be proud of the journey we’ve done together,” he said.

«Obviously, they gave me a lot of good opportunities. I delivered, otherwise they would have stopped the opportunities at some point. But to go from the French Carreras Cup to hypercar and win a championship this year, and to win some cool races and drive some cool cars, it’s the dream and the wish of every driver.

“To be [with a team for] so long, for 10 years, not many drivers do these days. I think we can be proud of how it went. 

“That’s how I feel and I think this is also how they feel. We have no friction or anything. We’re still friends. They understood my decision.

“You never know what the future brings in motorsport. It goes quickly and it can go one way. Maybe in another life, maybe I’ll be back.

“Let’s see how life goes. I just felt now it was time for a new challenge.”

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— The Motorsport.com Team