Austin, TEXAS, Sep. 7, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing scored its best FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) result so far at Lone Star Le Mans, with the #17 GMR-001 Hypercar of Pipo Derani, Mathys Jaubert and André Lotterer finishing seventh. On a day which demanded that the drivers cope with changing conditions and high temperatures, the team reached new heights in its debut season.

Strong Pace and Reliability Rewarded With Result

The strong pace and excellent reliability that the team was aiming for were apparent from the very start of the weekend at Circuit of the Americas. Both GMR-001 Hypercars ran without mechanical issues during every session, and in Qualifying, both cars secured a place in Hyperpole for the first time in sessions using the WEC’s regular qualifying format.

Lotterer looked to improve further on Jaubert’s eighth-place qualifying results. He moved from eighth to fifth over the first racing lap, following two extra formation laps after rain fell during the pre-race ceremonies. His progress continued until an abortive move for third at the end of the back straight, which resulted in contact and a spin that dropped the German to the rear of the Hypercar field and drew an additional five-second penalty. As a result, the #17 team turned their focus to recovering the lost positions while managing energy and tires.

A Safety Car in the middle of Pipo Derani’s double stint helped bring the team back into contention and following a second single stint for Lotterer, a Virtual Safety Car with just over an hour remaining, delivered the chance to gain further ground by changing only left-side tires as Jaubert climbed back aboard for the final stint of the six-hour race.

For the final hour, the youngest driver in the Hypercar class went wheel-to-wheel with his more experienced rivals — some of whom had four new tires to his two. A move in traffic moved the #17 car to eighth, which became seventh due to a penalty for the #12 Cadillac — improving on the eighth place scored at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in May.

The strong weekend for the team was completed by the #19 entry of Paul-Loup Chatin, Mathieu Jaminet and Dani Juncadella. Though the final Safety Car fell outside of their pitstop window and forced them to make a final stop after the restart, Jaminet made sure to keep the car on the lead lap during the frantic final hour to tick off a major pre-season goal for the team to begin the second half of the season.

Genesis Magma Racing Team Management Quotes

Gabriele Tarquini, Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director said: “Overall, I’m very pleased with the performance the GMR-001 Hypercar showed both in qualifying and the race. It’s our best finish of the year so obviously we are happy. We will continue to work on the details to take another step forward in the next races. Of course, I’m a little disappointed because we had the potential to have both cars in the top 10 and scoring points. From a race management point of view, it wasn’t easy because the weather conditions changed throughout the race, and the drivers had to adapt, especially during the first part. Today, the difference between all the cars in the race was just a few tenths of a second, which shows just how tight the competition is. It makes the result even more encouraging and gives us confidence that we can achieve even better results in the upcoming races.”

Justin Taylor, Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer said: “We have to look at the positives from this weekend. We got both cars to finish on the lead lap. That was a big goal for us. We got one of the cars in the top 10. Neither car saw the garage with a technical issue, not only in the race, but in any of the practice sessions. I think we can be really proud of that. We've made some big steps, but we've got a long way to go and this race is gonna give us some motivation for that. On the flip side, we made several mistakes in several different areas, so it was a bit of a wake-up call. We need to polish up our procedures and be a bit smarter next time we come to the track to battle these guys.”

Driver Quotes - #17 GMR-001 Hypercar

André Lotterer said: “It’s more points, and our best result so far this year in seventh, so we managed to recover well from the early race mishaps and after I started super well. I had a great start and we started to move forward, but then I went for the move on the Ferrari. We had a good car and a good setup all weekend. From my side, I had fun in the car — it was great to drive, and we were able to achieve some of our goals. Unfortunately, the sister car couldn’t make it into the points, so we need to see what happened. We still need to improve some aspects, but we're here to grow, to become stronger. We've come to Austin and learned more about what we can do for the rest of the year.”

Mathys Jaubert said: “It was not the easiest final stint. I was fighting with very experienced guys and I was struggling because it was very, very warm in the cockpit. It was tricky because we know our car. We are still developing it and in terms of braking, traction, everything, so fighting with them was even harder. Some cars behind me had four new tires, so I knew it was impossible to fight with them. But I knew that the BMW, the Peugeot, the Cadillac were on the same strategy, so I tried my best to fight with them and I think I did a good job. We had the pace for the points and I think we deserve this position. I pushed a lot, trying my best to overtake them. I’m very happy about this result. We would still like to have two cars in the points. There are still three races to go, so in terms of strategy, development, pit stop, everything, we still have a lot to learn and to progress.”

Pipo Derani said: “We'll obviously take this result. It was a very eventful race with lots of Safety Car and Full Course Yellow interventions. It was so crazy. We were at the top, we were at the bottom, and then here we are, finishing P7, taking our best result home and some other big positive points as well. Considering that it's our first year, I think we should be proud of what we achieved today. I couldn't be any happier. We could have done a couple of positions better, but that's almost about it. And I'm proud of how we evolved through the weekend, how we got this car to the checkered flag, and how we continue to develop as a team. It’s been a great weekend for us and there’s still a few more to go, so hopefully we can continue to improve a bit.

Driver Quotes - #19 GMR-001 Hypercar

Dani Juncadella said: “Overall, it’s a nice result for Genesis Magma Racing, with the sister car finishing seventh and achieving our best result so far. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get both cars into the points, we just missed out. We need to take the positives from this weekend and analyze what we can do better in the future. There is still plenty to learn, but we can be happy with the progress we’ve made. We’re looking forward to the next round, and I think we’ll keep getting better and better. I think we can improve on our restarts and how we can manage in traffic. In endurance racing, that’s obviously a way that you can gain some time and positions, but you can also lose a lot. We’ve shown again what the team and GMR-001 Hypercar can do.”

Paul-Loup Chatin said: “I’m very happy for our sister car to finish seventh, which is a great result for the team and for Genesis. I think we showed some positive things with the work we did throughout the week, with good pace in practice and qualifying and excellent reliability on both sides of the garage. We were running together with the sister car until, unfortunately, towards the end of the race we made a mistake with the strategy on our side. These things can happen, but we need to learn from it, because we had the potential to bring both cars home inside the top ten. We’ll take the lessons from this weekend and come back stronger for the rest of the year.”

Mathieu Jaminet said: “Unfortunately, P15 is not the result we wanted, but it was positive to see our sister car finish P7. However, for the first time, we brought both cars home on the lead lap without any technical issues, so that is an important target achieved. On the other hand, today we had the pace and the cars to have both GMR-001 Hypercars in the points, so it is disappointing not to have converted the potential that we showed in qualifying into a race result. There are clearly areas we need to review, as we did not operate at the level we want to as a team. We will keep learning, keep progressing and make sure we take those lessons into the next race.”

2026 Lone Star Le Mans – Hypercar class

For Genesis Magma Racing, the race marks a landmark milestone as the factory program makes its official U.S. racing debut with the GMR-001 Hypercar. At the technical center of this endeavor is Chief Engineer Justin Taylor, an American race engineer returning to lead a Korean luxury brand’s high-performance motorsport effort on home soil after years of experience with European factory programs.

Back on Familiar Ground

"I guess it’s no surprise that I feel at home when racing in Austin. Most of my family was born and raised in Texas and I still have a lot of family spread around the state. It will certainly be nice to have some of them there in person to support Genesis Magma Racing’s first race in the USA," says Taylor.

Having spent much of his career working in Europe with elite programs including Ferrari, Audi, and Cadillac, racing on American soil offers a unique mix of pride and perspective.

"The WEC races in the U.S. always are more special for me personally. I’ve spent most of my career being the only American in mostly European teams, so it’s always nice to have a chance to show off where I come from and get to share the excitement of the colleagues who are experiencing the USA for the first time.

“Professionally, I’m returning with more responsibility than ever before which adds some pressure but I’m excited to see how we’ve done with our homework over the summer break," he explains.

That connection to home is made even stronger by the presence of his family trackside during the Austin race weekend. His father played a fundamental role in introducing him to the sport, making his attendance at COTA particularly meaningful.

"My father was the one who ignited my interest in motorsport when I was younger and he comes to see as many races as he can. This race is no exception and it’s really comforting to know I’ll have his support and advice close by on race day," Taylor notes.

GMR-001 Hypercar Development Progress

The 2026 FIA WEC season has already tested Genesis Magma Racing through an intense debut. From the GMR-001 Hypercar’s competitive first outing at Imola in April through subsequent rounds at Spa-Francorchamps, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and São Paulo, the team has navigated a steep learning curve in real-world race conditions.

Transitioning from private testing to dense multi-class WEC traffic presented immediate engineering hurdles.

"Through our development, we didn’t get to drive with race traffic or other Hypercars. So, when we first followed other cars in Imola, the car was behaving differently and we’ve had to learn how to adapt," Taylor shares.

Each race weekend in the first half of the season provided essential data and operational growth. While finishing the 24 Hours of Le Mans demonstrated vehicle endurance, the team’s biggest leap forward occurred in Brazil.

"Of course finishing Le Mans with one of the cars felt like a partial validation of the hard work. But the #17 failure left a lingering feeling of disappointment. So, I’d say it’s São Paolo where we made the biggest step with the car. We saw good performance in qualifying, decent race pace and most importantly — both cars stayed clear of the garage," Taylor reflects.

Refining Performance

As the GMR-001 Hypercar continues to evolve, its baseline strengths and developmental focus areas have become clearly defined on track.

"The GMR-001 Hypercar is good at high-speed cornering but it’s the low-speed areas where we are looking for improvements," says Taylor.

During the mid-season summer shutdown, the engineering team focused on refining systems rather than introducing major physical bodywork changes.

"We’ve been able to put more work into our software robustness to electrical problems and refine our energy saving methods to be more efficient. There are no specific part upgrades being brought to COTA," he explains.

Mastering the Circuit of the Americas

Navigating the 5.514-kilometer Circuit of the Americas requires balancing distinct physical and thermal demands. The track’s character places intense stress on mechanical components, tires, and human performance alike.

"The COTA track is quite bumpy, and the weather is normally somewhere between hot and hotter. The bumps are not completely unfamiliar, thanks to Imola, but the heat is on another level compared to what we’ve experienced so far. Because of this we’ll need to manage everything carefully — from the brakes and engine temps, to the condition of the drivers, engineers and mechanics," Taylor emphasizes.

COTA’s complex layout tests every aspect of the GMR-001’s performance envelope, particularly in the lower-speed sectors and high-wear turn sequences.

"Sector 3 is tough due to the low-speed corners where we can’t use our strong aerodynamic characteristics. The triple right is also in Sector 3 and though it’s a medium speed corner, it’s a tire killer so we’ll need to consider our pace here if we want the rubber to last," Taylor details.

The intense heat of Texas also alters tire strategy significantly.

"The heat is a huge factor and it affects the tires in a big way. Due to this heat, it will be the first WEC race of 2026 where the Hard tire is in the allocation, so learning how and when to use them will be critical," he adds.

Turning Issues into Opportunities

As Chief Engineer, Taylor balances wide-ranging technical and organizational responsibilities across both race cars.

"My main responsibility is to ensure that all the engineers have the tools, information, resources and support to do their jobs. I’m also ensuring that both cars and crews are working as a team to extract the maximum information from the practice sessions so we can use it to optimize our performance in qualifying and race," Taylor says.

He also emphasizes leveraging the diverse background of the driver lineup.

"The Genesis drivers bring a wide array of experience to the team which is a big advantage for us. I try to never miss an opportunity to use their experience to help us through a situation we’ve not faced together," he shares.

Building Genesis Magma Racing from the ground up required establishing a supportive, problem-solving mindset early in the program.

"The first months — and even a few after — were very difficult and not everything worked as we hoped. Through this period, we stuck together and now we’ve evolved into a culture that views problems and issues as opportunities," Taylor explains.

Maintaining high morale over a grueling debut demands a structured approach to adversity.

"If you try to do anything that’s difficult, you’ll encounter failures on some level. Nobody joined the team thinking it would be easy, that’s first. Accompanying this fact, we have a strict ‘no finger pointing’ rule. We actively choose to view failures as chances to improve and we make sure to highlight successes big and small," he adds.

COTA Success and Beyond

Heading into the race weekend, Taylor’s target for the team is straightforward: "Both cars finishing inside the top 10."

Beyond immediate race results, competing on American soil offers Genesis a vital opportunity to highlight its high-performance aspirations in a key market.

"If you spend a few minutes driving in the U.S. you’ll see quite a few Genesis cars so it’s clear Americans are familiar with the brand’s quality, luxury and value. We hope to show there is also a strong performance side that’s only getting stronger," says Taylor.

As Justin Taylor takes his place on the COTA pit wall surrounded by family, colleagues, and American fans, his leadership within Genesis Magma Racing stands as a compelling testament to passion and dedication in modern motorsport.

"Motorsport is for everyone and if you look in our team or around the paddock, you’ll see people with various backgrounds, countries and ethnicities. It doesn’t matter where you’re from. The only things needed to succeed in motorsport are passion and a willingness to work hard," Taylor concludes.

Austin, TEXAS, Aug. 28, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing will make its racing debut in North America for the fifth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) — Lone Star Le Mans at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The event comes after the series’ summer break, which gave the team the opportunity to reflect on the progress made during the first half of the season and lessons learned from the 6 Hours of São Paulo.

Gaining Experience on Top of History in North America

At Lone Star Le Mans, which follows the familiar 6-hour format of the WEC, Genesis Magma Racing will be aiming to once again show the strong performance of the GMR-001 Hypercar, proven by the team’s Hyperpole appearances at both the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the latest round in Brazil.

However, the team also hopes to optimize its operations to take advantage of the reliability of the car after bringing both GMR-001 Hypercars to the finish without issues for the first time in Interlagos. To do so, both team and drivers will need to avoid the type of small errors that limited the team’s results in Brazil, as they seek to add to the lone points-scoring finish this season (eighth for the #17 Hypercar of Pipo Derani, Mathys Jaubert and André Lotterer at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in May). 

A test at COTA in late July was crucial in helping the team and drivers prepare for the event. The two days of running helped the team build a baseline setup for the car and an understanding of the track conditions, mindful of the challenges presented by the high ambient and track temperatures. This knowledge will be crucial to the team, making up for their relative lack of experience at the venue — which has hosted an FIA WEC round on eight previous occasions — compared to their rivals in the Hypercar class.

The test was even more important as many of the team have limited experience at the circuit. Lotterer is a past Lone Star Le Mans winner in the LMP1 era of WEC competition and finished sixth in the 2024 edition, while Paul-Loup Chatin and Mathieu Jaminet have Hypercar experience at the circuit from the most recent WEC visits there. On the other hand, for Derani, Jaubert and Dani Juncadella, the test gave them their first Hypercar laps of the circuit. The test was Jaubert’s first-ever visit to the track. Derani, though he has not raced at the circuit since 2016, has enjoyed plenty of success in the U.S. as a two-time IMSA SportsCar champion, while for Jaminet, a return to the circuit where he had previous success, and to the U.S. as the 2025 IMSA champion, is cause for a special one-off helmet design.

The GMR-001 Hypercar’s history in the U.S. goes back even further. In April 2025, the New York International Auto Show hosted the first showing of the full-scale model of the design, sporting a red and orange livery that would eventually be realized as the race livery for the car at the 24 Hours of Le Mans earlier this year.

The U.S. is a key market for Genesis, especially for the brand’s SUV and EV models. This position as one of the leading markets was underlined in recent weeks, when the brand hosted the global launch of the new GV90 model in San Francisco.

Genesis Magma Racing Team Management Quotes

Cyril Abiteboul, Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul said: “Through the first part of the FIA WEC season we have shown great progress as a team and have achieved many of the goals we set for ourselves at the start of the year. We are still a very new team compared to those we are racing against, but we have shown we are capable of competing with them, which is a great step forward to make in just four races. However, while we have shown great reliability and strong performance, we need to be able to put them together into the complete package more consistently. Our performance at the 6 Hours of São Paulo showed the importance of performing in not just one area, but as a whole team. The WEC is incredibly competitive — maybe more this year than ever — any mistake is very costly, so we need to make eliminating these mistakes the next step in our progress this year.”

Gabriele Tarquini, Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director said: “From a driver’s perspective, COTA is a very challenging circuit. It is very bumpy in some areas and has a bit of everything, with high-speed corners, heavy braking zones and technical sections where you need a good balance between the car and the driver. It was important that we were able to test there. It gave us the opportunity to understand the circuit and car better before the race weekend, so we can arrive better prepared with a clearer direction. The key thing for us is to continue the progress we have made. In Brazil, we had small mistakes that cost us time and positions. These are the kind of things we need to avoid, especially when the competition is so close. We had some discussions with the drivers to analyze what happened, what we could have done differently and how we can improve. It is important that we learn from these situations and not repeat the same mistakes.”

Justin Taylor, Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer said: “We were able to get some good data from the test in very high ambient and track temperatures, which gave us a preview of how the car behaves and responds in the extreme conditions we might face during the race weekend. COTA demands a lot of different things simultaneously, but undoubtedly it is a circuit with high sensitivity to grip. To go fast we need to keep the rubber underneath us, so if it is hot we will need to actively manage the temps to be sure they last a complete stint or even a double. Choosing how to manage qualifying and finding the best way to minimize tire wear in the race will be key. We’ve also used the summer break to work on some weaknesses we’ve identified through the first half of the season, so we can continue to move forward.”

Driver Quotes - #17 GMR-001 Hypercar

Pipo Derani said: “Racing in the United States always feels like coming home. I have incredible memories and milestones from my seasons competing in IMSA, and the American fans bring an authentic energy and passion to the paddock that is unmatched. Returning to compete on U.S. soil on a world championship stage is special, and I want nothing more than to put on a great show for the crowd there. COTA is notoriously demanding on tire degradation and ride compliance over the bumps, but beyond the driving, COTA holds a very special place for me personally. One of my best memories here was back in 2015 during my debut WEC season, having my father by my side at this race. Coming back here always brings those moments to mind. Behind the wheel, it’s a track that demands complete commitment — attacking the uphill climb into Turn 1 and flowing through the Esses on fresh tires is still one of the most rewarding feelings.”

Mathys Jaubert said: “COTA is very demanding, quite different from the tracks we have driven before, and the extreme heat was also an important factor. The circuit is not easy to understand at first. There are a lot of bumps, which make the car quite difficult to drive. That’s why the test was very important for me, to get more comfortable with the track and understand how to approach it. I really like Sector 1, with the sequence of fast corners. It’s very challenging because you need to commit a lot, and it’s probably my favorite part of the circuit. We mainly focused on working on the setup and continuing to develop the different systems on the car. Every day in the car is important, and we were able to work on many different areas, not only the performance of the car, but also our pit stops, our efficiency during operations and our overall organization as a team.”

André Lotterer said: “The test at COTA was really valuable for us. Having the opportunity to run there before the race weekend allowed us to understand the track better with the GMR-001 and work through a number of different setup directions. COTA is quite a demanding circuit, with a great mix of high-speed sections, technical corners and some big braking zones, so there is a lot to get right. After São Paulo, we know there are still areas where we need to improve, and the test gave us some useful information that we can hopefully turn into performance when we come back. The summer break has also given everyone a chance to reset, so I’m looking forward to seeing how we can respond in Austin. It’s a challenging track where you need confidence in the car, especially through the fast first sector. I really like that section when the car is working well; it has a great flow. Hopefully, we can put everything we’ve learned together and have a strong weekend.”

Driver Quotes - #19 GMR-001 Hypercar

Paul-Loup Chatin said: “COTA is a really nice track. The first sector is probably the biggest challenge because of the combination of fast corners and changes of direction. The lap there has a bit of everything: high-speed corners, heavy braking zones and technical sections. It is a track where you really need to be precise, but at the same time you have to attack. The summer break gave everyone the opportunity to reset, analyze the first part of the season and come back with fresh energy. Interlagos was not the result we wanted, but it also highlighted areas where we can improve. The important thing is that we keep pushing together, stay focused on the details and use every opportunity to make the car and the team stronger. We had the opportunity to test some different setup directions last month. We improved our understanding of the car and tires, and validated some of the developments we have been working on. It was an important test to make sure we arrive at the race weekend with a clear direction.”

Mathieu Jaminet said: “I’m super happy to get back to COTA. In the past, it’s been a track that I found suits me really well. It’s a track where I’ve been really successful in GTs — some really good performances and a lot of poles, wins and podiums, so it’s definitely a track I enjoy. Going back to America obviously brings me good memories from my seasons in the IMSA series. I really enjoyed being back at the track at the test and I know I’ll enjoy the race weekend. It’s definitely one of my highlights. I’m actually bringing a special helmet for the event as I really love the US and love Austin. One of the key things we learned from the test was about the tires – obviously with a new spec this year. We had the opportunity to test with the hard compound, which we haven’t driven much this season. There’s a lot of data to analyze and make sure we work in the right direction going into the race.”

Dani Juncadella said: “I’ve only raced at COTA for the last two years in WEC. Last year was a bit of disaster with the changing conditions in the race, which didn’t help us in the GT3 — it was one to forget. But it’s a track I really enjoy. It’s great when you can test directly at the track where you are going to race next and be able to tweak a couple of things, and the team is always coming up with updates for the systems and things to try with the setup for the GMR-001 Hypercar. I think we learned a lot in terms of tire pressures, and how to manage the tires in the heat with a couple of different compounds. The ambient temperature for the race should be similar to what we had for the test, so having this knowledge always helps to see what works and what doesn’t, and I got to know the track behind the wheel of a Hypercar for the first time.”

STAVELOT, Belgium, Aug. 23, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing’s trio of Trajectory Program drivers, Jamie Chadwick, Laurents Hörr and Valerio Rinicella, continued their consistent season in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), finishing the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps in third place after a post-race penalty for the #10 Vector Sport entry promoted them from fourth.

Single Lap Performance Shows Team’s Potential Pace

A superb qualifying lap by Rinicella delivered on the potential single lap pace the team had shown throughout the two Free Practice sessions. The result was the first ELMS pole position for Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program drivers and also earned the Italian the Marc van der Straten Pole Position Trophy, awarded in honor of the Belgian racing legend.

Jamie Chadwick returned to her normal role of starting the #18 IDEC Sport-run Oreca 07. A strong start saw her reach turn one at La Source unchallenged, but a Safety Car before the end of the opening lap neutralized the race for the first of five times during her stint. Though she would lose the lead after the first restart, she held second position until handing over the car 12 minutes before the half-way point.

The team would lose time and positions in the pitstop, dropping to fifth in the LMP2 class after having to push the car back to allow Hörr to exit around a GT competitor in the neighboring garage. The longer than normal opening stint also limited the team’s strategy options to make up the lost time, with the pattern remainder for the race largely dictated by the minimum drive times for both Hörr and Rinicella.

The two drivers kept themselves in podium contention, with Hörr able to temporarily move back into a podium position in the middle of his stint. It was a position that Rinicella was unable to retake over the final hour of racing, leaving the team once more the first off the podium, but still taking the positives from the weekend.

However, following a post-race penalty for the #10 Vector Sport entry, the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program drivers — Jamie Chadwick, Laurents Hörr and Valerio Rinicella — have been promoted to third position overall in the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. The decision gives the trio their first podium of the 2026 European Le Mans Series season and caps a strong weekend in which the team also claimed a first pole position. The team and drivers lie third in the championship standings, 18 points behind, with two rounds remaining — Silverstone (Sep. 11-13) and Portimão (Oct. 8-10).

Post Race Quotes - #18 IDEC Sport Oreca 07

Jamie Chadwick said: “It was crazy how many Safety Cars there ended up being, especially in the second part of my stint. All in all, it was fairly good. The car ahead was flying. I didn't have really the pace to keep with them, but I think second place was pretty good to come in with. The problem is, when you're fighting up at the front, it's very hard to take risks and be aggressive on strategy decisions. Unfortunately, I think this ended up hurting with all the Safety Cars in the end. It didn't fall our way strategy-wise, so I think fourth was the best we could do for today. There's a lot to be happy with, including the first pole position for the team and my first time starting on pole in ELMS, which was really cool. We can take a lot of positives, but equally a lot that we can work on.”

Laurents Hörr said: “It was really hard fighting on track, but quite clean, to be honest. We were up and down today – I lost a position, won a position. We struggled a little bit with pace. We were just missing a tiny bit, which kept us from going further. During Jamie’s stint, I was on standby for about one hour with the helmet ready in the pit lane, but it was the same for all the cars. We didn't lose in this situation, and it gave us a bit of flexibility, which maybe we could have explored further. We've been so close to the podium and we saw that here and there at this pit stop or that pit stop, we could have gained five or eight seconds or tried a different strategy. We have to be happy with the overall performance and the result, and we will see where our pace is in Silverstone.”

Valerio Rinicella said: “I would say I'm happy with the result, but at the same time, I'm a bit disappointed because I expected to be a bit faster in the second part of my stint. I think maybe the fuel load had too much effect on the car. Already in the first laps, I felt that the tires were not giving me everything, so I just tried to manage. The beginning was okay – just a lot of traffic, but it’s still more points in the pocket. So we are happy for that, but we expected more pace overall. You know, it's hard to predict what you can do or where you can improve. We showed that we had a fast car. We just need to work maybe now on long runs and to see how to manage tire degradation and the traffic a bit more. But overall we can be proud of what we've done so far. The team is happy, we are happy, and let's fight for Silverstone now.“

Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini said: “The big positive from the weekend is the pace our Trajectory Program drivers showed in the practice sessions and qualifying. Valerio’s performance in qualifying showed how much experience he has gained over the course of the season, and how fast he is on a single lap, despite his very short experience in the category, and the strength of the team in Qualifying this weekend. Unfortunately, the race didn’t fall the way we would have liked, even though there were good individual performances from all three drivers. The slow pitstop lost some time and positions, which were very difficult to make up while the second half of the event was much cleaner than the first, without the same number of Safety Cars. Fourth is still a very good result, especially while we can see the progress the drivers are making, and we know they and the team will keep pushing for the next round.”

The team’s goals for their debut season were simple and modest — finish each race, improve the cars, improve the drivers, improve the team.

In endurance racing, distance covered matters more than speed, so every second a Hypercar spends off the track and stationary in the pit lane matters. Genesis Magma Racing made it to Hyperpole for the second race in a row and showed serious pace during the race at Interlagos. Both #17 and #19 GMR-001 Hypercars showed strong reliability to complete a race without technical issues for the first time, but penalties and small mistakes limited the results the team could achieve.

For a team determined to prove itself, there is no room for error — no margin for the mistakes that cost races. A pit stop at any race is controlled chaos where timing, precision and trust are the only things standing between finishing the race, or not.

Box, Box!

“Box, box!” These two words signal the driver to enter the pit lane for a pit stop. As the car enters the pit lane, the driver activates the pit lane speed limiter, slowing to the pit lane speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour.

The car screams into the pit box, stopping where the car controller holds his marker, or lollipop. The car controller holds complete responsibility for the safety of the entire pit stop operation.

Nothing else happens until the engine is shut off and the car is electrically grounded.

Only then does the refueler move — the only person authorized to operate the fuel line. The refueler connects the fuel hose to the Hypercar. For the next 40 seconds, 80 liters will flow into the GMR-001 Hypercar's tank.

Strict safety rules prohibit almost every other action while the refueler completes their task. Only one other person is permitted to touch the car — the pit crew member assigned to clean the windshield. The front wheel gunner launches onto the front of the Hypercar, wiping away dirt and debris. The driver's vision must be unobstructed as there is no margin for error at up to 330 kilometers per hour.

The rest of the crew is on standby, ready for their turn.

Fuel In, Wheels Off

The moment the fuel hose disconnects, everything accelerates.

A wheel carrier thrusts a lance into the side of the Hypercar to activate the integrated pneumatic jacks. All four wheels are off the ground in just a second.

The front wheel gunner is already moving, pneumatic gun in hand, executing a motion refined through thousands of repetitions. He squeezes the trigger once, the single nut securing the front left wheel now unfastened. The wheel is then removed in just two-tenths of a second.

The wheel carrier is right behind the gunner with a fresh tire at the ready. The wheel gunner and carrier work in perfect synchronization to swap out the wheels — time and experience perfect this sequence to an art form.

Without pausing for a moment, they sprint to the right side of the Hypercar, with two other pit crew members performing identical moves on the rear wheels.

The car controller stands still, lollipop in front of the Hypercar, overseeing every moment of the stop.

The tire team removes the lance. The car drops to the ground.

All that happens in just two minutes.

The car controller raises the lollipop, and the driver sends the Hypercar back out onto the track.

See it all happen in slow motion and incredible detail in the video below:

Deciding When to Pit

The strategic timing of a pit stop in endurance racing is far more complex than simply waiting for the fuel light to come on. In the WEC, pit stops are mathematically and tactically timed to maintain position or even leapfrog competitors.

Undercut

The undercut is an aggressive, proactive strategy used when a car is stuck closely behind a rival but cannot find a clean way to pass on track.

The strategist calls the GMR-001 Hypercar into the pits one to two laps earlier than the target window. The Hypercar is fitted with fresh tires, giving it an edge over its competitors. While the rival ahead continues driving on worn tires, the driver unleashes the maximum pace of their fresh tires on their out-lap (the first lap after leaving the pit lane).

When the rival finally pits another lap or two later, their pit stop is normal, but their out-lap is slow. By the time they merge back onto the track, the GMR-001 Hypercar that pitted early — having already warmed up its fresh tires by running two blazing-fast laps — streaks past them.

Overcut

The overcut is the opposite of the undercut, used when the track is highly abrasive or when warming up cold tires is notoriously difficult, such as during cold night stints at Le Mans.

The rival car pits first. Instead of reacting immediately, the strategist instructs the GMR-001 driver to stay out for two to three more laps while they observe the competitor.

The rival exits the pits on cold tires, struggling for grip and pace. Meanwhile, the GMR-001 driver, running on fully warmed (though worn) tires, flies through clear air, clocking in faster times.

Because the GMR-001 Hypercar maintained a blistering pace while the rival was slower on cold rubber, the GMR-001 Hypercar car builds enough of a gap to pit, change tires and exit the pit lane safely ahead of the rival.

Exploiting Safety Periods

The ultimate timing coup in WEC is pitting during a Full Course Yellow (FCY) or a Virtual Safety Car (VSC). Under green flag conditions, a pit stop at a track like Spa-Francorchamps costs roughly 50 to 60 seconds of "lost time" relative to cars speeding down the straight at 300 kilometers per hour.

Under an FCY, the entire field is speed-limited to 80 kilometers per hour. Because the cars on track are moving much slower, the relative time lost by stopping in the pits drops dramatically — often saving 20 to 30 seconds.

A riskier version of the stop can be done the moment an incident occurs on track. The strategist has seconds to calculate if the pit entry is open and if they can dive in before the FCY is officially declared, or exactly as it drops. Timing this perfectly can instantly vault a car up multiple spots because the entire field is speed-limited and the cars begin to bunch up and the gaps between them get reduced.

Stay tuned for the next installment of Genesis Magma Racing's 2026 WEC Season Guide.

On Scotland's east coast, the world's best golfers gathered at The Renaissance Club for the 2026 Genesis Scottish Open, navigating shifting coastal winds and demanding fairways in the relentless pursuit of perfection. 10,000 kilometers away in Brazil, the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) kicked off at the 6 Hours of São Paulo in Interlagos, where drivers pushed themselves and their machines to the limit over a grueling six-hour race.

These two arenas could not appear more different. One is defined by silence, patience and precision. The other by speed, the roaring of engines and split-second decisions. Yet both demand the same qualities, with victory often decided by the smallest of margins. Preparation, trust, teamwork and the ability to perform under pressure become key.

For Genesis Magma Racing drivers and avid golf players, Jamie Chadwick and Dani Juncadella, the similarities transcending these sports are a lived reality. Despite competing in one of the world's most demanding motorsport categories, both recognize aspects of their profession in the game of golf.

The Art of Performing Under Pressure

Chadwick feels the mental challenge is where the sports align most closely. Beyond physical stamina, the ultimate battleground in elite sports is often fought in the mind. Success in endurance racing and a multi-day golf tournament rely on the exact same psychological edge.

“Both golf and motorsport test composure under pressure like few other disciplines,” says Chadwick. “At the highest level, it’s about how you respond in those moments. Both in golf and racing, you don’t have time to dwell on mistakes, so maintaining a strong, strategic mindset is everything.”

She explains, “[For both sports], the margin for error is miniscule. A fraction too much force, a slightly misjudged line or a lapse in concentration can change the outcome completely.”

Genesis Magma Racing team member Juncadella agrees. “It is easy to underestimate how similar the mental demands are. In racing, everything happens at speed, but the discipline is the same as golf: you’re constantly refining your technique to achieve control under pressure.

“In endurance racing, physical conditioning and mental stability are critical to performing at the highest level, much like golf, particularly across a four-day tournament such as the Genesis Scottish Open.”

It Takes a Village

The foundation of high performance is a shared culture of trust. While the spotlight often shines on the driver behind the wheel or the golfer on the green, the road to the podium is paved by a collective effort.

Juncadella is quick to share a perspective shaped by personal experience. “While both motorsport and golf often highlight individual performance, success in each relies heavily on the team behind it,” he says. “In motorsport, drivers are part of a much larger ecosystem with engineers, strategists, mechanics all working together towards success. Even though you’re alone in the car, it’s a team effort. You rely on engineers for feedback, strategy decisions and setup. It’s a constant dialogue.”

Chadwick shares this view, saying, “Golf is similar. The trust you have in your caddie plays a big part in success. Together, you discuss the best strategy and the next move to give yourself the best chance of succeeding. That relationship with the caddie is very similar to the one I have with the Genesis Magma Racing colleagues, analyzing everything in the garage.”

“Great performances are remembered for the moments that captivate us, but they are always built on countless moments and people that go unseen,” adds Juncadella. “Every achievement begins with a shared belief in doing things the right way, driven by common, strong values.”

Chief among these guiding principles is a steadfast commitment to character over convenience. “Integrity is the courage to stay true to your principles, especially when the pressure is greatest,” says Juncadella. “Respect is recognizing that every competitor raises the standard, and every teammate plays a vital role in the journey. Excellence is never a destination, but the relentless pursuit of becoming better, together.”

“Although golf and motorsport demand different skills, they are united by the same truth: no one succeeds alone,” says Chadwick. “Behind every precise swing and every perfectly executed lap stands a team driven by trust, dedication and a common purpose.”

Unlocking Potential Through Tech

In the modern sporting landscape, athletic intuition and raw data have become entirely inseparable. Today’s competitors no longer just train their bodies — they analyze their metrics, relying on technology to unlock margins of performance that were once invisible. As Chadwick explains, this digital evolution is reshaping how athletes prepare, compete and win.

“The role that technology plays in sport continues to grow, helping athletes refine performance. In racing, technology is part of everything we do,” she says. “From the data we analyze after every lap to the simulators we use to prepare, it helps us to refine every detail before we get to the circuit. Golf is evolving in a similar way, with players using data to better understand and improve their game.”

“In both cases, it’s about making better-informed decisions,” Juncadella elaborates. “Technology has become an essential part of performance in both sports. In motorsport, it helps us understand the car, the tires and our driving. In golf, it helps players analyze their swing and adapt to changing conditions.”

Chadwick distills the value that technology creates into two fundamental functions: “First, by providing the insights that help us to decide the next step, transforming data into knowledge, revealing opportunities for improvement and enabling smarter decisions.” This provides Genesis Magma Racing with the ability to analyze, learn and adapt — which can make the difference between a good performance and an exceptional one.

The second dimension is how technology physically enhances the user. “The most advanced solutions are created to empower individuals, to make the most of their capabilities and allow them to perform with greater confidence and precision. Technology becomes an extension of the person, helping them unlock their full potential,” says Chadwick.

“The greatest results emerge when these two dimensions come together: when knowledge gained through data is combined with technology designed to enhance human performance. By bringing together experience, talent and innovation, we create the conditions where people can achieve more than they could alone," Juncadella concludes.

When we talk about getting to the pinnacle of performance, Juncadella is clear: “We are really talking about those moments when everything comes together, the preparation, the teamwork, the technology and the ability to perform under the greatest pressure.”

Chadwick and Juncadella’s words leave a clear message: golf and motorsport require drivers, players, teams and caddies to be audacious and willing to embrace complexity in order to take on the most demanding challenges and to continuously redefine what is possible.

Whether on the fairway or the racetrack, true performance comes from the confidence to move forward, the curiosity to innovate and the determination to create new benchmarks. This is the mindset that drives Genesis — a commitment to challenge traditional conventions, inspire progress and pursue excellence in the smallest of details.

SAO PAULO, July 12, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing can take valuable lessons and experience from the 6 Hours of São Paulo, the first fly-away event in its debut season in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Both GMR-001 Hypercars showed strong reliability to complete a race without technical issues for the first time, but penalties and small mistakes limited the results the team could achieve.

Strategy Showed Potential; Cut Short by Penalties

In a busy first stint, the difficulty of racing through traffic on the WEC calendar’s shortest track was clear. Both Genesis Magma Racing entries, started by André Lotterer and Daniel Juncadella, lost ground navigating around the GT-class runners. More costly, however, were the early penalties collected by both cars, including a drive-through for the #19, that dropped them down the order.

In response, the team chose to extend the stints of both cars. The energy advantage gained saw both cars rise up the order as they were among the last cars to pit. Lotterer briefly assumed the lead in a fleeting GMR-001 Hypercar 1-2 before pitting to complete the opening drivers’ double stints after just over two hours.

As the race ran without the interruption of anything more disruptive than a short Full Course Yellow, however, the team was never able to make the most of the good strategy despite the flawless reliability of both cars. The potential for rain, as clouds lowered around the circuit in the final two hours of the race, largely held off — even as the GMR-001 Hypercar’s Two-Line design headlights cast an increasingly prominent beam.

The #17 crew was unable to make up for the time lost in the first half of the race, despite the choice to shorten Mathys Jaubert’s second stint to install home hero Pipo Derani. Derani — the only Brazilian driver in the top class — pushed all the way to the checkered flag on his home track, though could only be rewarded with a 15th place finish.

After a strong middle stint from Mathieu Jaminet, where the #19 car again climbed as high as second, Paul-Loup Chatin took the final double stint for the trio still waiting for their first WEC points. The team’s strategy brought him to the pits for the final time with 45 minutes remaining, and though some of the teams running ahead were forced into an extra, late, stop, it was not enough to allow Chatin to gain any places from 13th.

Though the team was always aware of the challenge of the unique Interlagos track, to leave Brazil without a second haul of points is a frustrating end to the weekend. Both GMR-001 Hypercars showed strong pace during the Free Practice and Qualifying sessions, including when Mathieu Jaminet topped Friday afternoon’s FP2 before he qualified the #19 entry seventh on Saturday.

Genesis Magma Racing Team Management Quotes

Cyril Abiteboul, Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal, said: “The 6 Hours of São Paulo was quite a different race from the previous ones for us. The biggest positive was clearly the level of reliability. Getting both cars through the race without any technical issues was a main target coming here after all the data accumulated in Le Mans. It's great to see that in a limited amount of time, we've been able to react and address issues from the first part of the season. On the other side, this good reliability exposes more directly our overall performance and, unfortunately, we've seen clearly our current limitations in different aspects of our operations and package. The positive is that we accumulated more data on a very specific track, with lots of opportunities to learn and build upon for what's coming next. If we can carry this reliability, then the next focus will be on cleaner race execution so that we can start climbing up into the classification.”

Gabriele Tarquini, Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director, said: “We cannot be happy about the race result. There were small mistakes that came from the team and drivers cost us some penalties during the race. But there are some big positives. The car was reliable from the first corner until the end. No problem coming from chassis, engine or systems. That's very good. It's the first time that we haven’t faced a problem with reliability. This track is unique and we don't have any data from previous years, and we never tested on this track. That has probably cost us some performance, because our pace was a little bit up and down. To finish out of the point is a shame after a very good Qualifying and Free Practice, but we need to learn from mistakes and keep improving race by race, session by session.”

Justin Taylor, Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer, said: “It was a difficult race. Interlagos is a tight circuit, and we saw a lot of contact and penalties throughout the field, and we weren't immune to that. Despite the result, it was another important step forward for us. For the first time, both cars completed the race without going into the garage, and that's a significant milestone for the team. Everything we focused on worked as expected, particularly in terms of reliability and reacting better to changing conditions. We still have work to do, but we're continuing to move in the right direction. Of course, we wanted to finish in the top 10 and add to the points we scored earlier this season, but that will have to wait until Austin.”

Anouck Abadie, Genesis Magma Racing Team Manager, said: "This is the first time that both cars have finished without any major issues, so that's a big first step. We can be happy about that. Weekend after weekend, we keep taking positives away. We learn a lot every race, and that's really important for the future. I think we've shown that both the team and the car are capable of delivering. We've improved the reliability of the car, which is a very good step forward, and as a team we've proved that we can do it while continuing to learn. Of course, it's not the result we were hoping for, but from our own perspective it's already a positive outcome. We'll use the summer break to train, come back stronger in Austin, and see if we can improve again."

Driver Quotes - #17 GMR-001 Hypercar

André Lotterer said: “It was a tough day because we were actually doing well. We were in the mix, but it was just one of those races with too many little issues. It was one of those days where we could have achieved more. The car felt good, but there are still a few things we need to understand. I also got a penalty after racing aggressively with the Toyota, but that was just one of several issues. Some of them were self-inflicted, but the potential of the GMR-001 Hypercar was good. The positive is that both cars finished reliably. Now we just need to look at the issues, learn from them, and come back stronger. Still, I had fun in the car. It’s all part of our journey. Sometimes you don’t have a perfect day, but we keep learning and moving forward.”

Mathys Jaubert said: “So, the race is done here at the 6 Hours of São Paulo. Overall, it was another weekend where we learned a lot as a team. Once again, it showed that the car is very strong over one lap, but we still have a lot of work to do over long stints and in race conditions. Overall, we expected to score points, and that was the target. We didn’t achieve that, but we still finished the race without any issues with both cars, which was another big target for the weekend. We had a few penalties and an issue with one tire, but overall it was a productive weekend. Now the focus shifts to the next step, with the test in Austin followed by the race there.”

Pipo Derani said: “It was nice to be back at home driving at Interlagos. It’s a privilege to drive in front of my home crowd. And the whole energy that the Brazilian people bring, it's amazing. Unfortunately, we couldn't give them a better result. We were a bit out of the race for my stints with everything that had happened up until then. Nevertheless, we were trying to bring the car home with no issues, which is a big step for the team, and I got to have fun in the last two stints. It was a good team effort. I'm looking forward to coming back here next year. We learned a lot this weekend. We showed some promise, but we have things to learn still. That's part of the game. And the positive is that I got to drive at home.”

Driver Quotes - #19 GMR-001 Hypercar

Dani Juncadella said: “Obviously, it was a disappointing result. My stint was probably about the wildest two hours I’ve ever had in a race car. I had a really good start and made a few positions, but we kept finding ourselves in the wrong place at the beginning of the race in traffic, and then we received a penalty for a Full Course Yellow infringement, which dropped us even further back. I also had contact with an amateur Ferrari that was completely lost, and that really killed our chances today. Unfortunately, all of that put us a lap down, and we stayed there for pretty much the rest of the race. From then onwards, the final four hours were actually quite okay, but we had simply lost too much time earlier in the race to recover.”

Mathieu Jaminet said: “Finishing P13 is not ideal when you’re starting from P7, but it’s only our fourth race, so I’m not too disappointed. It was one of those days. We had a few issues here and there, and there are a lot of things to improve. We made a few mistakes as a team, and it shows just how competitive this championship is. I feel this is a race where we have a lot to learn. There’s plenty to analyze and a lot of data to go through. It’s only our fourth race, so at the end of the day I’m not too disappointed. There are a lot of lessons to take away from both cars, in the way we approached the race and how we operated throughout the weekend. It’s all part of the process. We keep learning, we keep growing, and we’ll come back fighting stronger next time.”

Paul-Loup Chatin said: "It was a difficult race, honestly. We decided to double-stint the tires to try and gain track position, but the grip was really poor and I was never able to switch the tires on. The conditions were tricky. There was a lot of drizzle, but the track remained dry, which made it difficult to find the right balance. I tried a lot of different things, but in the end we learned a lot today. Now we need to understand what happened and come back stronger. There are still plenty of positives to take away. Overall, we've shown that the car has strong reliability and performance, but we were missing some pace in the race. We'll analyze why, learn from it and come back stronger in Austin."

The race in Interlagos is the next crucial step for Korean manufacturer Genesis in developing its Hypercar program. For Brazilian GMR driver Luis “Pipo” Derani, it means something a bit more personal — bringing his new team to his own backyard and fulfilling a very delayed dream. After all, this is where a young Derani won the São Paulo Junior Menor Championship in 2005, when he was just 12 years old. But an unexpected career trajectory kept him from his home turf for most of his racing life.

A Detour Through America

Already a strong driver from his previous experience in other European series, Derani was picked up to drive in the LMP2 class at the tail end of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) in 2014. He was later recruited for the FIA WEC 2015 season, taking home a win and seven podium finishes in the LMP2 class that year.

“I raced in the WEC in 2015-2016. 2015 was the first year that Interlagos was off the calendar, so it was a shame. Then my career took me to the United States and I spent most of my racing days there,” said Derani.

Derani did well in the U.S., racking up experience in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) SportsCar Championship. He won the 24 Hours of Daytona, coming first in the Prototype Class, in 2017 when he was just 24. After a few years of consistent podium finishes, he won the 2021 IMSA SportsCar Championship DPi Class with four wins and eight podiums. He switched classes and won again in 2023 in the IMSA SportsCar Championship GTP Class, securing a win and three podiums. Most recently in 2025 he replicated his 2023 IMSA win and also won the 12 Hours of Sebring GTP class.

“I spent many years in the United States racing in the Hypercar category, which is called GTP there,” said Derani. “I felt that I had successfully achieved everything I wanted to accomplish in the United States, like the wins in Daytona and Sebring.”

The Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) was introduced to IMSA in 2023, while Hypercar officially replaced the older LMP1 category at FIA WEC in 2021 as the top-tier prototype class.

The Genesis of a New Era

“Then I decided to take a new turn for my career, to return to Europe to compete in WEC with Genesis, which is a new team,” Derani said. “I wanted to go back to WEC and build a career at least for a few years to try to win another world championship. I felt that was my next objective.”

Derani made this decision in 2024, the same year Interlagos returned to the FIA WEC rotation.

“We started the project at the end of 2024, where I was announced alongside André Lotterer,” Derani said. “At that moment we had no engineers on the team, so we really started from scratch. Today we are here at Interlagos in our fourth race after a year and a half of development, seeing the team grow from two members to over 100."

Derani has already made his mark on Genesis Magma Racing’s debut WEC season. He brought the #17 GMR-001 Hypercar over the finish line at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, scoring the team’s first points. The team made the decision to pit and switch drivers during a Virtual Safety Car period near the end of the race. He was able to move up to eighth and defend his position through the closing stages against drivers with newer tires, holding on till the checkered flag.

Establishing the Groundwork

Interlagos presents a distinct set of demands. As one of the few counterclockwise circuits on the WEC calendar, its layout is notoriously taxing on drivers' neck muscles, while its significant elevation changes require a highly versatile car setup. Additionally, São Paulo's intense heat adds a layer of physical and mechanical endurance that cannot be overlooked. Even though it is technically a home race for Derani, the track's unique characteristics present a very different environment than what he and the team typically encounter.

“Interlagos will be the first race of what we call the second half of the championship, and has been a great learning process for us,” explained Derani. “In the second half of the year we’ll try to apply everything we’ve learned into practice and improve. I think we have a chance to show a good performance here at home. But we’re still learning. There will still be many things that we’ll look back on someday and say we could have done it better. There will be other areas where we’ll be surprised by what we’ll show. I hope to be more surprised than disappointed this weekend.”

As Genesis Magma Racing makes its debut at Interlagos, the absence of historical track data transforms this race weekend into an invaluable learning opportunity. Every lap will yield fresh insights that will help build the team’s technical foundation and provide a performance benchmark for future races.

“Being able to race at home again, at Interlagos, which I’ve only done before in Formula 3, the winter championship, will be very cool,” Derani said. “To be able to race in front of our public, in a world championship in the main category, will be extraordinary.”

A Paulista’s Homecoming

Coming off the intense, monthlong buildup to Le Mans, the São Paulo round arrives at the perfect time. The transition from the 13.626-kilometer, 24-hour, clockwise track in France to the much shorter and hotter 4.309-kilometer counterclockwise Interlagos offers a refreshing strategy reset.

For Derani, this means that he can share the thrill of motorsport and the progress of the Genesis Magma Racing program at the doorstep of long-time friends, family and local supporters who have followed his career since his karting days.

“It is a great pleasure for me to return to Brazil. Finally being able to return to WEC and race at home is a dream come true,” said Derani, sharing his excitement.

“I’ve had the great privilege of being part of this team from the beginning. Joining a team that is already running is one thing; you have to integrate yourself into it. But being part of and shaping a team from the beginning is a whole other thing. It is a large, long-term project that we hope will bear much fruit in the near future.”

To the uninitiated, it may seem like a celebration of victory at the world’s most legendary race. The #19 Hypercar had actually finished in 13^th place. But for a debutant team surviving their first brutal 24-hour endurance test, finishing 13^th felt exactly like a win.

The #19 car had to be restarted three times during the 24-hour marathon, nevertheless it survived the demands of the ultimate endurance race. Genesis Magma Racing, a brand-new team in its inaugural year, had done something no other Korean manufacturer had ever done: raced the 24 Hours of Le Mans and finished.

Motorsport’s Most Hallowed Ground

Le Mans is the oldest continuously run motorsport event in the world, with its first race held in 1923. Among all global motorsport events, its legend is comparable only to the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500 in history, prestige and significance.

The race has elevated manufacturers and humbled others into obscurity. In its 100-year history, Le Mans was not held only twice: during a nationwide French labor strike in 1936 and during World War II, from 1940 to 1948. The race has evolved from a proving ground for production cars into the pinnacle of endurance racing, where the latest automotive technology — hybrid engines, direct-injection diesel powerplants and advanced materials — is pushed to its absolute limits.

Unlike modern closed racing tracks with uniform safety barriers and standardized features, the Circuit de la Sarthe is semi-permanent and untamed. It winds through the French countryside, connecting through the small city of Le Mans itself. At 13.626 kilometers, it is nearly three times longer than a standard racing circuit. Each corner of the track, named and famous on its own, demands unique approaches. Arnage is one of the most demanding corners on any track, a high-speed left-hander requiring absolute commitment and nerves of steel. Other turns like Porsche Curves, Indianapolis Turn and Mulsanne Corner each demand different skills, different levels of bravery and different calculations of risk.

The sheer length of the circuit creates unique logistical challenges, requiring three safety cars to be deployed across different sections to manage up to 62 simultaneously competing vehicles. Long periods of each lap are run at full throttle, placing an immense burden on engines and drivetrains that must endure this punishment for 24 consecutive hours.

Le Mans demands everything — physical, mental and mechanical — from the car and the team both. For a full day and night, drivers navigate the 13.626-kilometer circuit at speed through blinding daylight, pitch-black darkness, unpredictable weather, mechanical failures and exhaustion. Seventy percent of each lap is run at full throttle, with drivers making 78 gear shifts per lap on average, placing a load on each component beyond any other automotive environment. Teams must manage fuel consumption, tire degradation, pit stop strategy, mechanical and electrical failure as well as driver fatigue. Driving time is strictly limited: no driver can pilot the car for more than four consecutive hours, and no driver can exceed 14 hours total over the 24-hour period.

The most challenging portion of the race is during the “dead zone,” between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. Fatigue peaks, temperatures drop and potential fog, frost or sudden rain exponentially increases the risk of accidents. Because the circuit is so large, rain often only falls on some sections of the track, meaning drivers can encounter sudden downpours while running on slick tires at dawn — a situation drivers describe as pure terror. A single mistake, one curb hit at the wrong moment, one sensor malfunction, one pit stop that takes too long, one mechanical defect in an air pipe can erase months of preparation.

Fewer cars finish Le Mans than start it. Even legendary manufacturers have sent multiple cars only to watch them all retire before reaching the checkered flag. Crossing the checkered flag does not necessarily guarantee a finish either; cars must cover at least seventy percent of the winning car's distance to be classified as a finisher. Success at Le Mans is measured in survival, not just podium position.

Monsieur Le Mans

When Genesis decided to enter the world's most elite endurance series — the FIA World Endurance Championship — there was one voice they wanted in the paddock. Six-time Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx joined Genesis as Brand Partner and Racing Advisor, bringing unparalleled endurance experience and a lifetime of racing wisdom directly into the team.

Jacky Ickx is the name most synonymous with Le Mans mastery. The Belgian driver arrived at Le Mans when the race was in its infancy as a proving ground for automotive engineering. He returned again and again, and won — six times between 1969 and 1982, the first driver in history to win Le Mans that many times. He became known as “Monsieur Le Mans.”

The Ultimate Proving Ground

For Genesis, Le Mans was not just about racing — it was an audacious real-time stress test of the luxury marque’s engineering capabilities. Entering the world’s most punishing endurance arena meant going wheel-to-wheel with legacy manufacturers backed by decades of experience and data. Genesis Magma Racing were well aware of the massive operational and technical challenges ahead. Rather than chasing immediate podiums, the team set a pragmatic goal for their debut: to prove the reliability of the GMR-001 Hypercars by taking them across the finish line. At Le Mans, simply finishing is a triumph in itself.

During the qualifying session on June 10, both cars unexpectedly advanced to the Hyperpole shootout the next day. The #19 car, driven by Paul-Loup Chatin, qualified sixth on the grid. The #17 car, driven by André Lotterer, qualified ninth.

"One of the biggest highlights at Le Mans was being able to qualify both cars in the top 10 — #19 started sixth and my car started ninth," Lotterer said. "That was a very remarkable performance from the team at such an early stage of experience, knowing that we are not yet able to extract everything from the car because we are young, we are still growing, we're still learning, we're still improving our resources to develop the car more, to understand it more."

The 24-Hour Trial

The race began Friday afternoon, June 13 at 4:00 p.m., under clear skies. Both Genesis Magma Racing Hypercars started the race with strong openings and settled into steady rhythms. Around them, familiar names battled — Ferrari, BMW, Toyota, Cadillac — manufacturers with decades of Le Mans experience. For the first six hours, Genesis Magma Racing focused on executing their strategy with efficiency and reliability.

The sun set six hours into the race. The Two-Line headlamp design of both GMR-001 Hypercars made them easy to identify in the darkness. “We have very unique and special lights, which is an iconic design feature of Genesis," said Lotterer. "And to achieve that very small, minimalistic line, there was nothing on the market that could replicate that. So, we developed our own light with new manufacturers. They are very powerful and definitely a nice crossover.”

The race entered the dead zone 11 hours in, at 3 a.m. Just 17 minutes later, an LMP2 crash brought out a Full Course Yellow. Moments after that, the #19 car, driven by Chatin, lost engine power and rolled to a stop at the Arnage turn. With help only available from the team through the radio, Chatin had to restart the electronics himself. Thankfully, the car came back to life and Chatin resumed the race.

Exactly two hours later, the #19 car stopped on track again, and was restarted again. An unknown electrical issue had triggered the shutdowns.

When the #19 pitted 18 minutes later, just a half hour before sunrise, the crew plugged in cables to check the car. Not finding anything, they signaled the car to leave. The engine cut out again just then in the pits — a nerve-wracking moment for a team trying to keep their Le Mans debut alive. But the car restarted once more and again rejoined the race safely. The stop cost the team roughly five minutes, dropping the car from 12th to 15th place.

The sun rose at Hour 14. The #17 car was running smoothly. Lotterer, one of the drivers of the #17, later commented on how it feels to drive. "The feeling of the cars is really good," he said. "I am always very happy with the car balance and the feeling of the car, and it always gives us confidence that we have a good tool." The GMR-001 was strong in the corners and steady on pace, running 10th through the middle hours. Real hope emerged that both Genesis cars might make it through to the finish.

But in the final stretch, with only seven and a half hours to go, Jaubert, who had been steadily running the #17, took a curb too aggressively. The impact damaged the right front suspension. The car could not continue. After running cleanly all race, the #17 was forced to retire.

Still, the #19 remained on track. Despite mysterious electrical gremlins that had caused three restarts and a fall far down the order, it was still running, still in contention to finish. Paul-Loup Chatin took the wheel again for the final hours. The car was running 14^th and 15^th — bouncing around the order as other cars ahead suffered mechanical failures or pit stop disasters.

As the final laps approached, the order began to crystallize. The #19 was running 13th. The car had the pace to maybe climb higher, but time was running out.

Checkered Flag

After a troubled run, the #19 car finally approached the checkered flag. By the time it crossed the line, the crew had already climbed to the top of the pit wall, waving, yelling and celebrating, having accomplished what they set out to do.

"At Le Mans, the race always tests you. The only thing you can choose is how you respond. Our team never stopped pushing. Every lap, every challenge and every piece of data helped us learn. And that’s what motorsport is really about," Lotterer said. “For us, this is only the beginning. We’re learning, improving and getting stronger every time we go racing. I hope you're as excited as we are!”

"At Le Mans, we didn't have any issue with the engines themselves," Lotterer said. “On the #19 car, there was a software glitch where during a Full Course Yellow phase the car had to be reset, but there was nothing from the hardware itself, from the internals, from the engine that had any issues. On my car, #17, there were zero issues at all. This is quite remarkable because in the short time we had to prepare, the engine was the longest it had ever run.”

A Historic Moment for Korean Motorsport

For Genesis, a homegrown Korean brand daring to step onto the sacred asphalt of Le Mans, this was the moment a dream became reality. Genesis Magma Racing left the starting grid as newcomers, proving themselves to be serious competitors. After 24 relentless hours, the team emerged on the other side of the gauntlet. In a sport where simply reaching the finish is an achievement in itself, the #19 Hypercar finishing was not just a successful debut — it was a historic arrival. They had carved their name permanently into Le Mans history.

"Our dream is obviously to win, but we are very humble and we respect our opponents," Lotterer said. “We know that in the first year this is something very difficult to achieve, and we've already achieved more than what we hoped for. The more time goes on, the more expectations will be higher because we won't have the excuse of being rookies anymore. There we will have to show our true performance. In the near future, we are definitely aiming to be a winning team and not just participate. So, this is clearly an objective, and this is why it’s important now to establish ourselves correctly for the years to come.”

LE CASTELLET, France, July 5, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing’s trio of Trajectory Program drivers scored their third consecutive fourth place finish in the European Le Mans Series at the 4 Hours of Imola. Sharing the #18 IDEC Sport-run ORECA 07, Jamie Chadwick, Laurents Hörr and Valerio Rinicella were a race-long factor in the battle for the podium places in a race contested in hot conditions.

Late-Race Charge Secures Strong Finish

At his home race, Italian Rinicella was given the responsibility of the first race stint for the first time, taking the rolling start from the seventh on the grid earned by Hörr in qualifying. After the drop of the green flag, he was able to make quick progress, rising to sixth after the opening lap — making up one of the places with an audacious move to the outside at Tamburello. Unfortunately, his stint — which earned him the vote as LMP2 driver of the day — was frequently interrupted by multiple Safety Car and Virtual Safety Car periods, and Full Course Yellows for different incidents on track.

He handed the car over to Jamie Chadwick from third position during one Virtual Safety Car period. Following the restart, the British driver found herself in the middle of a battle for the podium positions. After initially having to resist pressure from those behind, she was able to start making a challenge of her own to retake third position, though she held fourth when the IDEC Sport team made their strategy call to become one of the first LMP2 teams to make their final driver change stop to install Laurents Hörr behind the wheel.

The German renewed Chadwick’s challenge for the podium places. However, in his haste to keep in touch with the top three, he made minor contact with an LMP3 car — damaging the slower car and incurring a five-second penalty.

The news did nothing to dampen Hörr’s efforts to improve his position after returning to the race after a slow final pit stop in sixth. For the final 30 minutes of the race he chased the fourth place car, finally making the move — repeating Rinicella’s outside move from earlier in the race — with seven minutes remaining. Continuing his charge, he was able to open up a ten-second advantage in the final minutes to secure a third consecutive fourth place finish for the Trajectory Program crew.

Post Race Quotes - #18 IDEC Sport Oreca 07

Valerio Rinicella said: “I really enjoyed doing the first stint. There was a lot of traffic. At the start I tried to be on the safe side, to finish at least the first lap. I tried to be careful because it’s a four-hour race and I didn’t want to take any risks but then started to push to gain some positions. I got some bad traffic during Full Course Yellow and Safety Car periods that created some gaps to the cars in front, but overall I think we managed to make up some good places and start to fight for the podium. I’m happy with the work we did. For me, the car was fantastic. I’m just happy to enjoy the hot weather in Imola for my home race. I don’t really like this track, but I changed my mind with the Prototype. With the traffic and the speed, it’s a fantastic track.”

Jamie Chadwick said: “It was quite a challenging stint for me. It was my first time doing the middle stint, but I enjoyed it after Valerio did a great job at the start. Racing at Imola is always about track position, so starting from seventh was always going to be a bit tough. We put Valerio in for the start and he did an amazing job and got us up to P3. I was able to consolidate that, but it’s hot out there and it’s tough managing tires and the constant traffic. We had a couple of issues and Laurents picked up the penalty in his stint, but he did a great job with a tough charge to make up for it and get us back to fourth place again, which seems to be the story of our season so far this year.”

Laurents Hörr said: “The temperatures today were really tough, but the car was probably the best it has been all weekend. The five-second penalty was unfortunate, but I take the blame for it. I saw an opportunity, but I think there was some miscommunication between me and the LMP3, but you have to learn from this. I know I had the pace, but it’s so difficult to overtake around Imola. When I was able to get past him, I pulled away ten seconds in five laps, which showed the potential we had in the car today without some of the other issues, which lost us some time in the pits, which maybe cost a chance of a podium.”

Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini said: “The Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program drivers put in a strong performance to be part of the battle for the podium places for almost all of the 4 Hours of Imola. Valerio Rinicella did very well in his first time starting an ELMS race. He was the fastest driver on track and was able to put the car in contention for the podium, despite having to work through a number of interruptions. Jamie Chadwick was put in a very difficult spot during her stint – having to both defend and attack at the same time – but she kept her composure, including through traffic, to put the team in a position where they felt strategy could make the difference. Unfortunately, the penalty put the podium out of reach, but Laurents reacted well to the news and did what he needed to do to take the best result that was available from the weekend.”

LE CASTELLET, France, July 3, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing faces its first competitive test outside of Europe, with the first fly-away round of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) taking the team to the 6 Hours of São Paulo at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace.

Pipo Derani Heads for Rare Home Race

The trip to the Brazilian circuit takes the WEC paddock from its longest race of the season at the longest circuit on the calendar back to the more familiar six-hour format on the shortest circuit on the 2026 calendar at just 4.309 kilometers. The relative confines of the circuit present a different challenge to Genesis Magma Racing’s engineers and drivers as they continue to gain experience in the championship.

The short circuit promises a tightly contested qualifying session, where Genesis Magma Racing will aim to show the same pace that placed both GMR-001 Hypercars in the final Hyperpole session at Le Mans. Meanwhile, in the race, the track means that traffic management — especially through the technical infield section of the 15-turn track — will have a major effect on the contest for positions within the Hypercar category.

Pipo Derani, driving the #17 entry, is the only Brazilian driver competing in the Hypercar class this season. Though originally from São Paulo, the weekend is a rare chance to race at home for a driver whose professional career has largely been spent in Europe and North America. His teammate André Lotterer, as well as Paul-Loup Chatin and Dani Juncadella in the #19 car, has more recent experience at the circuit, while for Mathys Jaubert and Mathieu Jaminet, the race will be their first at the circuit.

After a resoundingly positive reaction to the Magma livery that debuted at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, both the #17 and #19 cars will remain clad in the design, which progresses from deep red to the team’s signature Magma hue at the front of the car. Also unchanged from the Le Mans weekend for the visit to Brazil are the driving lineups for the two GMR-001 Hypercar entries, as both cars retain their three-driver crews for the return to the six-hour format.

Genesis Magma Racing Team Management Quotes

Cyril Abiteboul, Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal, said: “The 6 Hours of São Paulo takes Genesis Magma Racing into new territory for us as a team, as a manufacturer and for many of our drivers. We had some time to reflect on what we achieved at Le Mans, as well as to take lessons from the race that we can start to apply immediately. The race in Brazil presents its own challenges, with the technical circuit and the operational challenges that come with any fly-away race that we are facing for the first time. It’s great to be able to greet our fans in South America for the first time with both cars in the Magma livery. The color is central to our identity and Genesis Magma as a whole, so to be able to introduce ourselves in Brazil proudly representing Magma is very important.”

Gabriele Tarquini, Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director, said: “The track in Brazil presents a different challenge compared to Le Mans. The 24 Hours gave us several positives to build on. We had good reliability and continued to build on our understanding of the car and procedures. Although Interlagos is a much shorter race with a completely different approach, our objective is to take the lessons learned at Le Mans and continue our progress. As with every fly-away event, there are additional complexities. From the drivers' side, managing travel, time zones and changing conditions is part of the challenge. The whole team has to be able to adapt quickly. We have decided to maintain three drivers per car because we believe continuity is important. Having all our drivers involved allows us to maximize the contribution of each crew, maintain consistency and ensure everyone stays fully integrated throughout the season.”

Justin Taylor, Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer, said: “The 6 Hours of São Paulo marks our first non-European race and the start of a long trip for the cars and equipment. This puts our logistics team to the test with a lot of extra planning just to ensure we don't forget something. It's not an easy task, but it's all part of the WEC challenge. Le Mans was a valuable step for us in the formation of Genesis Magma Racing. We gathered a wealth of data and new experiences which we have analyzed closely to learn what we can for the next race. Surprisingly, Le Mans taught us a bit about tire performance in hot conditions. While the Interlagos circuit has very different energy density and distribution, we now know a bit how the rubber behaves at the temps we might see there, which could help us make quick decisions during the race if we see the same trends appearing.”

Driver Quotes - #17 GMR-001 Hypercar

Pipo Derani said: “I can’t describe how much I’m looking forward to finally racing in the top class of a high-level championship in my hometown. I'm from São Paulo myself but have barely raced in Interlagos during my entire career, so to be able to go there with Genesis Magma Racing as the only Brazilian driver will be amazing. The Brazilian fans are always great, and I know a lot of them have been following our progress with the GMR-001 Hypercar from the start of the project and this season. The retirement at Le Mans was a bit of a disappointment, especially as you could see we made some good steps forward with the performance. Hopefully we can continue our progress and get back to finishing the race and scoring some points. To do that in my home race would be amazing.” 

Mathys Jaubert said: “The 6 Hours of São Paulo will be a new challenge for me as it will be my first time racing at Interlagos, but it’s an iconic circuit and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve watched plenty of onboard videos to learn the track and understand its characteristics as much as possible before arriving, and I’ve been able to do some preparation on our simulator. The goal for me and the team for the weekend is to adapt quickly, continue progressing and keep developing the GMR-001 Hypercar package we currently have. We want to maximize every session, learn as much as possible and continue moving in the right direction during the second half of the season.”

André Lotterer said: “I’m very excited and motivated to take Genesis Magma Racing’s debut season to another new race for the team, especially as it is Pipo’s home race in a country that is very enthusiastic about motorsport. Interlagos is a historic racetrack, but it’s also very tricky. The tarmac there is very different from anything we have seen so far this year, so there will be some unknowns for the drivers and engineers. It’s our first time going overseas with our cars and the whole Genesis Magma Racing team, which is another big step in our journey. We don’t know what to expect with performance, so let’s see where we are after Free Practice. As usual, we’ll push and do our best and try to get to the finish line with both cars, and why not score some more points.”

Driver Quotes - #19 GMR-001 Hypercar

Paul-Loup Chatin said: “I’m very happy to be heading back to Interlagos. It is a unique place with a lot of history that I respect a lot. We’ve completed the opening three races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which was an incredibly valuable experience for the whole team. The ten days we spent at Le Mans were extremely positive and gave us a lot to build on. Now our focus is on becoming more competitive and closing the gap to the front. But at the same time, we’re still very much in a development phase, and that’s something we need to keep in mind heading into Interlagos. It’s a unique circuit, with a layout that is predominantly low speed. Our goal is to make the most of the weekend, continue improving, keep learning about the car and gradually raise our expectations as we move forward.”

Mathieu Jaminet said: “The 6 Hours of São Paulo is obviously a very different event to our last race at Le Mans. We are back to the six-hour format for our fourth race together. The weekend will be my first-ever time in Brazil, and obviously my first-ever time racing at Interlagos. I’m really looking forward to discovering the track and country. We’ve seen the car performing well on every track we’ve been to so far, so it would be nice if we can continue this with the #19 GMR-001 Hypercar, run a bit closer to the front and maybe score our first points. This would be an amazing result for myself, Paul-Loup and Dani as drivers, and for the whole team. If we keep progressing like we have since the beginning of the year, then the top ten should be a realistic target.”

Dani Juncadella said: “Interlagos is very different to anything else on the WEC calendar. From my experience in LMGT3, there is a lot of tire degradation, so I wonder how that changes in Hypercar with the different tires. It’s a track I really like, in a part of the world where we don’t get to go very often to race. It’s a tight circuit, so traffic can be difficult to manage. In the slow sections — sector two — the GT cars are actually pretty quick, which is something we need to take care with in Hypercar. Already in three races we’ve learned a lot of lessons and made really big steps forward, and after 24 Hours, 6 Hours feels like a sprint now, so I think that we have the confidence to push forward. The expectation is to just keep progressing as we have been — working on having a strong car for the race and continuing to push forward in every area.”

LE MANS, France, June 14, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing took a hard-fought finish from the tough challenge of its first start in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, bringing home the #19 GMR-001 Hypercar in 13th place. Completing 372 laps of the 13.626-kilometer Circuit de la Sarthe, the result completed a week where the performance of the car and team had surprised many in the paddock. 

Finish Completes Strong Week for Le Mans Underdogs

Even before beginning the weekend, Genesis Magma Racing recognized the magnitude of the challenge they faced. The first South Korean manufacturer to contest the race faced its first 24-hour race in only its third-ever competitive start, making it a significant underdog against the more experienced teams, and the simple challenge of lasting the 24 hours of one of motorsport’s most famed events.

Sixth and ninth place in qualifying proved the potential pace of the GMR-001 Hypercar, but after the 4 p.m. start on Saturday both the #17 — started by André Lotterer — and the #19 driven by Dani Juncadella, settled into the team’s own rhythm as they focused on executing their strategy with efficiency and reliability in mind, rather than immediate performance.

However, with both cars running without any major incidents, and the team completing each pitstop equally flawlessly, this approach began to pay off as the race progressed from Saturday night to Sunday morning. After opting to stay out during the race’s first Safety Car period both cars regained the lead lap. Through the earliest hours of the morning both Mathieu Jaminet in the #19 and Mathys Jaubert in the #17 completed quadruple stints. Jaminet was able to run as high as fourth at times though Jaubert’s pace was dampened by a rear puncture that demanded an unscheduled pitstop.

Unfortunately, at around 4 a.m. having taken over from Jaminet, Paul-Loup Chatin stopped on track, the #19 needing a power cycle before it could rejoin. Though it initially appeared cured, the issue would repeat shortly after, knocking the car out of contention for a strong finish. Worse still, while challenging for points in the #17 entry, Jaubert suffered a suspension failure, putting the car out of the race on the spot.

Immediately, the team’s focus became ensuring the #19 would see the checkered flag. Though a stop to solve a mechanical issue lost the team a further four laps, it gave Chatin, Juncadella and Jaminet the best possible chance. Better still, as other Hypercar competitors also felt the strain of the pace, they were able to make up positions that, while still missing out on points, added to the many positives that the team could already take away from their Le Mans debut.

Genesis Magma Racing Team Management Quotes

Cyril Abiteboul, Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal, said: “Our first 24 Hours of Le Mans with Genesis Magma Racing ends on a positive note. Getting one car to the finish was our main objective, while the #17 unfortunately retired with suspension failure. We faced a number of reliability challenges which will be our priority moving forward. Despite this, the car showed strong potential throughout the week, especially during the first half of the race, where we were consistently fighting inside the top 10. While we faced challenges, the team showed great resilience, composure and teamwork. Everyone stayed focused, reacted calmly to every situation and worked together to achieve our goal. The drivers were also outstanding, managing both the race and the machinery exceptionally well. We leave Le Mans with the satisfaction of having achieved our main objective, but also with a very clear understanding of the areas we need to improve. Those priorities will help guide and unite us as we continue to build our foundations as a team.”

Gabriele Tarquini, Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director, said: “This is a great achievement for Genesis Magma Racing. In the beginning, especially last year when we started this project, it was impossible to even imagine that we, by our third race we could score points in Spa and finish the race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That's great. That's unbelievable. Even in our dreams, the best dreams, we cannot imagine to finish this race. The big race started last year the first time Pipo jumped in the GMR-001 Hypercar in Le Castellet, and it's not finished today and probably it will not finish at the end of the season. It will be a long race and in this race, the target is to fight for the win.”

Justin Taylor, Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer, said: “First 24 Hours of Le Mans and first finish. No one can ever do that again for Genesis, or for South Korea. That was the first time. I can't believe it, honestly. I knew we could do it, but seeing it now in person it's still surreal. I'm just so proud of all the people. We keep making steps forward towards our goals and today we made another one of them possible through teamwork and determination. It shows in our performances in Imola, then Spa and then how we showed up here. We keep improving and we intend to keep that path going. We’ve got 364 days from tomorrow to get going for the 2027 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

Anouck Abadie, Genesis Magma Racing Team Manager, said: “We've done it. We finished our first 24 Hours of Le Mans as Genesis Magma Racing. The whole team was waiting for the #19 GMR-001 Hypercar to cross the line to make sure that it was real. We've done it, but I'm a bit sad for the #17 car because they deserved to cross the finish line as well. For the whole team, I'm super happy, super proud. Now we need to make sure to be back even stronger next year. We still need to improve a bit because we are new and we need to work again and again together. But, the guys did an amazing job because it's the first 24 Hours for the team and to make no mistakes in the pits at all was impressive.“

Driver Quotes - #17 GMR-001 Hypercar

André Lotterer said: “We definitely showed the world who Genesis is. I think we surprised a few people and achieved more than we could hope for with our new team, new car, new brand, everything. It was definitely a great adventure at Le Mans, and we can come back proud because to have done that, in such a short time, it's quite remarkable. Unfortunately, of course, we wanted to finish the race and it ended with a technical problem that we need to understand more. It's a shame for sure. But our engine lasted, everything around it lasted until that point and we didn't have any big problems during the race which was quite remarkable. We need to study and come back stronger but I think for our first Le Mans appearance it was very positive, especially with the sister car reaching the finish to complete the weekend.”

Mathys Jaubert said: “I don't know really what happened. I think the suspension broke on the curb, which was a bit unfortunate, but we need to properly check the parts to find out.  We were having a good race, with no issues on the engine, which was quite important for us in terms of reliability. However, we are here to learn and this is now a point that we have to take a look and understand what broke and why. But it was quite fun, the car was really nice to drive, the balance was great and everything was running perfectly so I enjoyed it a lot. It has been a very long week, working a lot with the team, everybody. We made a lot of progress since day one here in Le Mans. P3 in Hyperpole 1 and then being in the running for points today it was just amazing.”

Pipo Derani said: “Of course we wanted to bring the car to the checkered flag but it was something completely out of our control. I think Genesis Magma Racing did a fantastic job up until that point. The car was running flawlessly. It is what it is sometimes. You have some mechanical failures and that's part of racing, but the good thing is that the car has shown a lot of promise and we will be back stronger. It's part of Le Mans also. You have just got to navigate through the chaos and try to bring the car to the checkered flag in the best possible way. Unfortunately, I wish I could have had a few more stints out there, but it wasn't meant to be this year.

Driver Quotes - #19 GMR-001 Hypercar

Dani Juncadella said: “As a team we came here with the goal to finish the race and we did exactly that. So, an absolutely incredible job from the whole team. Great preparation for the future and I'm pretty sure with the current car we have in the GMR-001 Hypercar, we can have a shot at winning one day. That's the best part. It was really hot at the end of the race, but the car was good to drive. Everything was going well. Even in the heat our car was very competitive, so I think that sets a lot of things we can test to prepare ourselves for the future, for any condition. We did a lot of laps, a lot of data gathered, which is great. I‘m looking forward to the next one. My next race and next Le Mans.“

Mathieu Jaminet said: “It's definitely been a roller coaster for us, but that's what you expect in your first 24 Hours, as a new team, a new car. Obviously, I think we showed better pace than maybe we expected. For sure we had a couple of issues, but we fought back. We were lucky to have a safety car and then we started to have some fun actually in the night with me, climbing up the order and having some fights with some quick cars. And when it started to look good to be well established in the top eight, we had the car have an issue. The reality comes back quick at you in endurance racing. Anything can happen from one minute to another. But no one ever gave up. We just made history. The first ever Korean brand to make it the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the first one for Genesis.”

Paul-Loup Chatin said: “Yeah, I'm super proud and super happy for the entire team. I think we deserve this finish. Le Mans is the hardest race in the world to finish, let alone to win of course. To achieve that it's thousands and thousands of hours of work behind to make sure that the car is the best prepared possible and then during the entire week it's all about details, all about management, all about team cohesion, team spirit and I think it's where we succeeded today. We work all together in the same direction and we just have to be super proud of ourselves. We wrote a bit of history today and I think it's just something crazy for the amazing job the team has done since the beginning of the program.”

LE MANS, France, June 12, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing scored a shock result in their first 24 Hours of Le Mans, as both GMR-001 Hypercars qualified in the top 10 for the event. Having progressed through both Hyperpole sessions, Paul-Loup Chatin and André Lotterer placed the cars seventh and 10th in the final session to complete a strong team performance.

Focus Remains on Race Despite Qualifying Pace

The team, the first South Korean manufacturer to compete in the famous endurance race, started the event with their focus firmly on working on the reliability and drivability of the car.

Throughout the practice running, the team worked on a number of setup solutions, improving the car at every opportunity, as well as confirming the performance of the Two-Line design headlights in competition for the first time during Wednesday night’s two-hour session, which finished at midnight.

The team’s qualifying campaign began on Wednesday evening, with Pipo Derani and Dani Juncadella at the wheel of the two GMR-001 Hypercars. Juncadella briefly had the #19 entry as high as fourth before those behind found further improvements. The Spaniard ended the 30-minute session 11th, with Derani holding 13th to progress to the Hyperpole 1 session for the fastest 15 in the 18-car Hypercar class.

For the first Hyperpole session, Mathys Jaubert and Mathieu Jaminet took the wheel of the two cars. Both drivers had their starring moments in the 20-minute session, Jaminet second fastest after the opening flying laps. Jaubert — the youngest driver on the Hypercar grid this season — claimed the top time with just a minute left, though he would finish the session third quickest to secure Lotterer a spot in Hyperpole 2 session.

The experienced German lost his first flying lap to track limits, limiting his efforts to ninth place.

Chatin’s first lap placed the #19 on the edge of the top five, and though the French driver improved on his own time, he could not improve his position as others found extra pace in the critical moments of the session.

Despite the promising pace shown throughout the qualifying and practice sessions, Genesis Magma Racing’s focus remains on securing classified finishes for both its cars on the team’s 24 Hours of Le Mans debut. The season’s longest — and also most important — race is a significant challenge for any team, let alone one in only its third race, making the team undoubted underdogs in both reliability and performance. However, the squad remain focused on executing a trouble-free race of their own, knowing that this can bring its own rewards, as seen already this year.

Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Quote

Cyril Abiteboul, Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal, said: “P6 and P9 is obviously an outstanding performance for our first entry in Le Mans. It was already a great feeling yesterday to have both cars make it through to Hyperpole, but it was another level of team effort to achieve what we did today. Even though it's all about the race and what we do on Saturday and Sunday, despite being a new entrant in the sport, we were keen on demonstrating our ambitions. Since the program started, we have said that the GMR-001 Hypercar is a healthy race car, that this team has potential, that the drivers are good — there is nothing better than a good old qualifying session to show it, and that's exactly what we did. But again, the most difficult part is yet to come, so now it's back to the drawing board and full focus on the race weekend."

Driver Quotes - #17 GMR-001 Hypercar

Pipo Derani said: “It was nice to get to see what the car can do. Obviously, we made it with the two cars through to Hyperpole after my session, which was already a mega job. Super happy. Obviously, we still believe there's a couple of things that could be better, but let's take the positives. It was great for the team and continue to improve throughout the weekend, but very positive quality for us today.”

Mathys Jaubert said: “It was something special. It was my first time qualifying in Hypercar. Last year, I really enjoyed doing this in LMP2, but this was my first experience in a Hypercar. I had an issue with the dash and wasn't able to see my lap time or whether I was improving, so I was driving without really knowing where I stood. In a way, though, it simplified things. I just told myself, 'Okay, push as much as possible and let's see what the result is at the end.’ And actually, it wasn't bad. I tried to push as much as possible without making mistakes. We always try to push at 100%, but still leave a little margin here and there, and in the end it was a nice lap.”

André Lotterer said: “An amazing effort from the whole team to come this far with our car. It's a new team and a new car, so hats off to everyone because that's already a hell of an achievement. It was unexpected, you know. We came here with no expectations because we knew performance would be difficult, but in the end, somehow, we were there. On my side, I didn't do any qualifying preparation or anything like that. I hadn't driven the car on low fuel with new tires, so I had to adapt. Then I got a track limit on my first lap, which was deleted, so I had to try again on the second one. After that, the rhythm was gone, and I also had a slow puncture, but it's still a really positive result. We also managed to prepare well for the race, which is important too. Anyway, I'm very happy for the whole team. It's good motivation heading into the race."

Driver Quotes - #19 GMR-001 Hypercar

Paul-Loup Chatin said: “I'm super proud and happy for the entire team. Having both cars in Hyperpole 2 for our first year at Le Mans is just amazing. Everyone has done an incredible job, and tonight we have to celebrate! Tomorrow, we'll be back and fully focused on the race, of course, but it's part of motorsport. There are milestones in the development of a project that you need to reach and celebrate. I think we can be super proud tonight. Of course, we had never run a set of tires before Hyperpole because we were very focused on the race. It was a bit of a surprise to be in Hyperpole 2, so we were probably not the best prepared for that. But in the end, P7 is an amazing result, and now we can focus on the race.”

Mathieu Jaminet said: “Pretty incredible qualifying. Obviously, on car #19, we had a small technical issue. We had to change the engine, and a few things didn't go as well as we wanted. So, you know, we had a lot of uncertainties going into Hyperpole. Everything worked out more or less okay, just enough to make it through. The same goes for car #17. And then, André and Paul-Loup did the job at the end. We will start P6 and P9, for our first Le Mans. If someone had offered that to me 10 days ago, I would have definitely taken it. So yeah, it's an amazing first step. Obviously, what counts is the race, but we can be proud of what we achieved today. Now, we start preparing for the race.”

Dani Juncadella said: “It was an exciting session. It was my first time qualifying the car with low fuel and new tires, which was exciting. We were only nine-tenths from the quickest cars in the first qualifying session. That we very exciting already for our first time at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and my first time personally here in a Hypercar. Then Mathieu and Paul-Loup did a superb job in Hyperpole. A massive congrats to the whole team for a great car.”

Thanks to an aggressive, perfectly executed pit strategy under a Virtual Safety Car, Derani held his ground in the closing stages. He crossed the line in eighth place to secure the marque's first-ever points in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Meanwhile, despite early electrical setbacks, the sister #19 car also brought it home, proving the engineering resilience of the newcomer team.

“In only our second participation in an endurance race, we could not have dreamt of a better place than Spa to score the very first points in the history of Genesis Magma Racing,” said Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “We are still a very young team, and this result is an extremely emotional moment for all our members.”

Scoring points in just the team’s second start is a massive achievement. But the true story of Spa is not just what happened on the track; it is the unprecedented, hyperspeed journey that got the cars there in the first place. With just 499 days between its public announcement and its first official race, the marque transformed an ambitious concept into a fully operational force in the WEC. It was a rapid ascent that defied conventional motorsport wisdom, but for the team behind the GMR-001 Hypercar, it represents a lifetime dream fulfilled and a bold new chapter for Korean motorsports.

From Dream to Reality — A Belgian Homecoming

For Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke, this rapid ascent to the starting grid is far more than a corporate milestone. It is a deeply personal homecoming. Growing up in Belgium, Donckerwolke spent his childhood watching his hero, Jacky Ickx, dominate the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ickx cemented his legendary status as “Monsieur Le Mans” with a historic six victories and became a global icon.

But Ickx wasn't just larger than life on the television screen. He was also immortalized in ink. As a young boy, Donckerwolke avidly read the iconic French motorsport comic book series “Michel Vaillant.” Ickx frequently appeared in the comics alongside the fictional protagonist and was famously one of the few real-world drivers whom creator Jean Graton allowed to beat Michel Vaillant on the page. The combination of Ickx’s real-world dominance and comic-book heroism deeply influenced Donckerwolke, helping to ignite the passion that drove him to become one of the world's leading automotive designers.

Today, childhood fan and childhood hero have united. Ickx joined Genesis as a Brand Partner and Racing Advisor, bringing his unparalleled endurance experience directly into the paddock. For Donckerwolke, it is the realization of a lifelong ambition.

“I grew up watching Jacky winning Le Mans as a kid and basically, I’ve always had this dream of having Genesis Magma Racing since I joined Genesis,” Donckerwolke reflected. “When Cyril joined us, the first thing I did was invite him to the design studio and say my dream is to race Le Mans. And then you know, three years later we are here, 530 days after getting the green light from the Executive Chair to go racing.”

For Ickx, who is not one to rest on his laurels, returning to race at Spa-Francorchamps with a young, ambitious team is an exciting opportunity to look forward to. The legendary driver is famous for keeping his eyes firmly fixed on what’s in front of him in the moment.

“The opportunity to be in action with a nice project surrounded by talented people with a goal, an objective, pah! What a privilege!” Ickx noted. “When I say I’m not nostalgic about my past, I really mean it. I have no trophies at home, because I always think it’s behind me. Indeed, there are some lessons to pick up along the way, but I’m only nostalgic about the people who change your life.”

Hyperspeed Execution

The clock began ticking in September 2024 when the internal decision was made to bring Genesis to the racetrack. Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul was tasked with orchestrating this massive undertaking, relying heavily on his decades of elite motorsport experience.

“It meant more or less a year and a half to build everything from scratch, from the decision that took place in September of 2024 to the first race in 2026,” Abiteboul explained. “That was driving a lot of the choices, from how to find the right powertrain to how to build the team and how to find the right technical partners for the program.”

The timeline forced Abiteboul to make rapid, pragmatic decisions regarding insourcing versus outsourcing.

“Our brand is all about authenticity, so it's not about just being a sponsor, taking third parties’ technologies or just putting our name on an existing car,” Abiteboul emphasized. “There was a genuineness in what we wanted to do. So where do we start? You start at finding how to be very time efficient, which is also cost efficient.”

To meet this aggressive schedule, the team had to be ruthless in its efficiency. Abiteboul, drawing on his extensive Formula One experience, knew that geography would play a critical role in the team’s operational success.

“Endurance is a very French sport,” Abiteboul noted. “We decided also to go very close to [French chassis builder partner ORECA] in order to fast track and optimize collaboration. We are quite close to a track based in the south of France. But it’s also because it’s close to a racetrack. And that’s extremely useful, because we can maximize the number of times that we go testing. In just one evening, we can just go outside of our workshop and we do testing on what is one of the best racetracks.”

Forging the Hypercar

The physical realization of this design philosophy happened at a blistering pace. By February 2025, just months after the initial announcement, the team celebrated a massive technical milestone when the bespoke G8MR 3.2l Turbo V8 engine was successfully fired up at Hyundai Motorsport’s headquarters in Germany. The engine’s rapid development was a masterclass in pragmatic innovation.

“Because we needed an engine in a very short time, Cyril came up with this great idea of using components we had on the shelves by putting two four-cylinder engines together to make a V8, which is incredible,” Donckerwolke said. “Suddenly, you have a 3.2-liter V8 based on components that we know are functioning, and that was the accelerator of the whole process.”

Knowing that track experience is invaluable, Genesis launched the Trajectory Program in March 2025 with partner IDEC Sport. By April, Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program drivers made their race debut in the European Le Mans Series, scoring an immediate LMP2 class victory in Barcelona. In May, they secured an overall win at the 4 Hours of Le Castellet followed by a crucial run at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.

Abiteboul championed this step-by-step approach. “To realize our vision, we put together a plan — not just to show Genesis headquarters, but also to the people of Korea. And for that, you need to show that this is going to be a very serious, stable and long-term project. We are going to give ourselves all the resources not just to participate, but also to do well.”

In July 2025, the first chassis met its engine for a full-car fire-up. By August, the GMR-001 Hypercar took to the track at Circuit Paul Ricard, completing over 500 laps. Autumn was dedicated to grueling endurance testing across Portugal and Spain. By December, the engine had surpassed 8,000 kilometers of rigorous track running and the 2026 driver lineup was finalized with promotions from the Trajectory Program.

Building a Korean Motorsport Culture

While the logistical framework was being laid in France, the aesthetic and emotional story of the hypercar was also in the making. For a Korean luxury marque that prides itself on its “Athletic Elegance” design philosophy, stepping into the brutal arena of the FIA WEC required tapping into a different kind of energy.

“What happened is, we did our homework, and we made cars that were premium. But then, we don’t have a hundred years of heritage or hundred years of motorsport,” Donckerwolke explained. “And if you are in this segment, you have to have different facets to your program. You cannot just say, let’s make great cars to bring the kids to school or to go golfing.”

Donckerwolke’s ambitions extended far beyond simply selling cars globally. He recognized that for Genesis to truly embrace its future, the brand needed to proudly project its Korean DNA onto the international racetrack, while simultaneously igniting a passion for motorsports within its home country.

“I discovered 10 years ago that there was no motorsport culture [in Korea],” Donckerwolke recalled. “So I said, my goal is to bring motorsport to Korea. And by doing this, I wanted to start growing the Korean public’s interest in motorsport and get that to be part of the parameters that you look for when you buy a car.”

This cultural mission became a central pillar of the Genesis Magma Racing project.

“Everything that we've done was also in order for the Korean audience to identify with the Genesis Magma Racing team,” Donckerwolke added. “For instance, having the Korean hangeul characters on the livery of our cars was so that there’s an association with our Korean roots. It’s instantly recognizable by the public.”

The Human Element

Despite the cutting-edge technology, the telemetry data and the carbon fiber aerodynamics, the success of Genesis’ entry into endurance racing ultimately rests on human shoulders. Jacky Ickx is quick to remind anyone who will listen that the drivers who get the glory are merely the final link in a massive chain of human effort.

“You are nobody. If you think you did it alone, you are totally on the wrong path,” Ickx stated emphatically as the roar of racing engines could be heard in the background. “You are the result of those you never see or work in the shadows. And those represent, in my opinion, 90 percent of the guys you have seen in the garage. When they are ready, their engineers and their mechanics give you a tool, or the potential to win.”

Ickx points to the modern pit stop as the ultimate example of this collective human perfection.

“You know in Formula One, when they change the four wheels in three seconds, it's considered a bad pit stop,” Ickx marveled. “The record is 1.9 seconds for the four wheels. It’s impressive. Every detail is important and everyone has a very important role — the driver is only there to finish the job.”

This focus on the collective is a natural fit for a Korean marque. Ickx observed that the cultural efficiency of the Korean business mindset is a massive advantage in the paddock.

“[In Korea] ‘bbali-bbali’ means when you decide something, you’re instantly ready to climb the mountain. You go for it. You have no time to lose, no time to argue or discuss. [As soon as] the decision is taken, you behave like a missile,” Ickx said.

The Reality of Modern Racing

The motorsport world that Genesis Magma Racing has entered is vastly different from the era of straw bales and gentleman drivers that Ickx dominated. Back in 1973, Ickx qualified at Spa on the old 13.9-kilometer road course with an average speed of 263.5 kilometers per hour. Today, the tracks are shorter, the safety is infinitely superior, and the nature of the races has fundamentally shifted.

“Today, there is one thing you must learn about long distance. It’s not an endurance race anymore. It’s a sprint,” Ickx explained. “You look at the first 10 cars. There are only few tenths of a second between every car,” Ickx continued. “And when you win in long distance with 25 or 30 seconds [gap], they say, ‘Oh, they had an easy race.’ So, [that] explains why every single detail of the car [matters] and the performance comes down to milliseconds.”

Abiteboul echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the margins for error have vanished.

“In such a long race, you can make no mistakes,” he said, explaining the strategic nuances between different tracks. “For us, the focus of these first two races, in particular, was always going to be focused on reliability and execution. Right now, we are very low risk in terms of approach for the drivers, the setups, and the strategy.”

More than Just a Finish Line

The culmination of this relentless push arrived in April 2026 at the 6 Hours of Imola, 499 days after the announcement of the formation of the Genesis Magma Racing team. Genesis Magma Racing officially debuted in the FIA WEC, proving the engineering resilience of the brand by getting both cars across the finish line. The momentum grew stronger the very next month in Belgium — on Donckerwolke and Ickx’s home turf.

“The 500 days were just enough for us to be ready, because it takes time to develop all the systems,” Abiteboul admitted. “And that’s what we need to get under control so that we can [ultimately achieve] wins.”

“The most important part of the success remains the humans who are composing the team,” Ickx concluded. “The rest is, how do you say, b-------.”

LE CASTELLET, France, June 4, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing expect a tough challenge as it makes its 24 Hours of Le Mans debut. Despite promising results in the first two rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), including a first points finish at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the team has reset expectations for its first start in the centerpiece of the season.

Team Prepared for Milestone Event

The team, which is entering a pair of GMR-001 Hypercars in the race, will become the first South Korean manufacturer ever to compete in the famous endurance race. To mark the occasion, the team’s two cars will run in a special livery returning to the Magma Orange to red gradient design first shown at Le Mans last year on the GMR-001 Hypercar show car in the manufacturer village.

Recognizing that the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a rigorous test of any team and car, and even more so for a squad in its position — going into just its third-ever competition — Genesis Magma Racing has set humble ambitions for the race. The team’s immediate aim is for both its cars to be recorded as classified finishers, requiring the cars to complete 70% of the total distance completed, as well as be running at the end of the race. This goal requires not only reliability from the cars, but also a mistake-free performance from the pit crew, making the race an all-round test for the team.

For the race weekend, Genesis Magma Racing will also host guests from the growing number of Genesis markets around the world, along with the senior leadership across its global organization. In addition to the Genesis booth in the Manufacturers’ Village, Genesis will also have a strong presence in the paddock this year, bringing to the circuit a taste of its hospitality philosophy of treating every customer as its “Son-nim,” or honored guest, at its global network of studios and showrooms.

To complete its preparations, Genesis Magma Racing completed an endurance test at Le Castellet. The test gave each of the team’s drivers, including Official Reserve driver Jamie Chadwick, time at the wheel of the GMR-001 Hypercar. A night stint gave Paul-Loup Chatin his first laps in the car in darkness, gaining his first experience of the strong pool of light created by the car’s Two-Line headlamps — a signature element of all Genesis designs.

As well as the experience of the 24-hour test, the team continues to learn with each session it completes. Through this process the team has been able to implement many small advances — both technical and operational — based on issues encountered in the first two rounds that will benefit the team at Le Mans. 

Genesis Magma Racing Team Management Quotes

Cyril Abiteboul, Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal, said: “Our debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a huge moment for Genesis Magma Racing. From the moment we made the announcement of the program, there have been a lot of eyes on this date. Becoming the first South Korean manufacturer to compete at Le Mans is a huge honor, and we will have many guests from Genesis around the world that we can show our work to and bring into the world of motorsport and the unique atmosphere of the 24 Hours of Le Mans specifically. However, we know that the race is going to be a massive challenge for us — for the reliability of the car, for our operations as a team — so we have to be realistic with what we expect, even after a good start to the WEC season. If we can bring both GMR-001 Hypercars to the finish, that will be the biggest positive we can take for the rest of the year.”

Gabriele Tarquini, Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director, said: “The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the race for a driver and an iconic race in motorsport. It is a unique challenge. For Genesis Magma Racing, it is our first Le Mans, and being part of it represents another important step in our story. From a sporting perspective, our target is to have a clean race and maximize every opportunity and keep improving throughout the event. The race is not only about speed, but also about managing energy — the car’s and your own — concentration and avoiding mistakes over the 24 Hours. The most important thing for a driver is to be able to arrive at the start of the race fully prepared and 100% physically and mentally. Le Mans is very demanding from the first day at the track until the checkered flag. Every detail matters to make the weekend as smooth as possible. Clear communication between driver and engineer, traffic management and consistency over the length of a stint are all crucial.”

Justin Taylor, Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer, said: “There is no race on the calendar that stresses a program quite like Le Mans. The combination of high speeds, long hours and inclement weather creates a unique set of technical challenges that you simply cannot fully replicate in testing or other WEC events. Reliability is the fundamental requirement for a race of such nature and it is our focus for now. The first two rounds of the season gave us a clearer picture of where our car and our processes needed to mature. We identified specific areas of sensor failure recognition as well as driver interface usability that were holding us back and we've worked hard to implement solutions ahead of Le Mans. We have set up a test plan for the prologue to validate our efforts and allow for adaptation before the race week begins. In the race, our objective is straightforward: finish with the checkered flag waving.”

Driver Quotes - #17 GMR-001 Hypercar

Pipo Derani said: “I’m very much looking forward to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s such a special race. Of course, there’s the World Endurance Championship, but Le Mans is such a special race, if not the most iconic race in the world. We were not expecting the result we had at Spa. We worked hard for it, but as a team we want to keep our feet on the ground and make sure we tackle Le Mans with humility. It's not going to be an easy task. It’s by far the biggest challenge we’ve had so far. But as we’ve already proved, we are ready for any task. Regardless of how difficult it is, we throw ourselves in. We want to gather as much experience as possible, hopefully get the GMR-001 Hypercar to the end, so that we can use all that knowledge to become a better package for the second half of the season and into next year, and any result we achieve this year is a bonus.”

Mathys Jaubert said: “My Hypercar debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans is obviously something very special for me. It’s a race every driver dreams about, so to be part of it with the #17 team is a proud moment. I’m really looking forward to the atmosphere, the fans and experiencing the race from inside a Hypercar for the first time. The goal is to have a clean race, maximize every opportunity and bring home a strong result for Genesis Magma Racing. After the strong result at Spa, the team has good momentum, but Le Mans is a different race and we need to stay focused and execute everything perfectly over 24 hours. My LMP2 experience from last year will definitely help because I already know how intense the event is, especially with traffic, night driving and the rhythm of the week. But racing the GMR-001 Hypercar at Le Mans will still be a completely new challenge.”

André Lotterer said: “The 24 Hours of Le Mans means a lot, not only to me, but all the drivers competing there. It has so much history. It has created heroes of brands and drivers. It’s a race where everyone wants to shine. It’s even sweeter if you win, which I’ve been lucky to taste three times, so Le Mans has been good to me. I always love going there. It’s a pleasure to drive on that track, and I’m very excited to go there with our new team and drive the GMR-001 Hypercar there for the first time. The special livery is a real success. The design team did really well. The gradient came out nicely and it will be a nice pop of color on track. For the race we’re focusing on ourselves, trying to do the best with what we have learned so far. It’s always also a big task to be able to reduce the amount of problems and avoid penalties for 24 hours, but who knows? There’s always a lot that can happen at Le Mans.”

Driver Quotes - #19 GMR-001 Hypercar

Paul-Loup Chatin said: “Le Mans is special. It’s the most important and most beautiful race of the year. I come from Chartres, which is only an hour from Le Mans, so it’s completely my home race. A lot of the efforts we make the entire year are for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, so I cannot wait to be there. My first laps in the GMR-001 Hypercar were really good, a super first impression. The team have done a really good job with the lights — the visibility is impressive. We know that Le Mans by night is magic, but if you are capable to see a tiny bit more than the others you have a bit more confidence. The whole car looks great. I think everybody expected an orange livery for us to start the year, but it was nice to start the year with the liquid metal and black, and now we have arrived at the big one to have the full Genesis Magma color on our car.”

Mathieu Jaminet said: “I’m really looking forward to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s the highlight of the year for every single team and driver. I always feel that it is a very special event, especially being French and having a lot of fans there, so you get to feel a bit like a rockstar for a few days. It’s only our third race as Genesis Magma Racing, and our first race that’s more than six hours. Looking at the first two races, we know that the GMR-001 Hypercar has great potential, but we’ve still had small issues here and there that the team has been pushing flat out to solve and be as prepared as possible. As a team we’ve been working well since the start of the season, so we want to keep it that way and have a clean race. Seeing the checkered flag without any issues would be a bit of a win, and if we manage that we should also have a bit of pace to challenge some other cars, so let’s see where we end up.”

Dani Juncadella said: “I’m excited for our debut at Le Mans — it’s the biggest race of the year and to be taking part with a Hypercar is something to be proud of. Le Mans is obviously a highlight of the year. It’s a race that I’m super experienced with — I’ve only done it two times before in LMGT3, so it’s a new challenge for me in the Hypercar class. It’s going to be a long week of preparation with the Prologue, which will help us get some laps already and I can see how it compares to the GT car. Physically, Le Mans is not the hardest race because you have a lot of long straights where you can rest, but it’s nevertheless a 24-hour race so it’s always a big test for everybody. We did an endurance test at Le Castellet, so we think we’ve made some steps forwards to move on from the small setbacks we’ve had at Imola and Spa, so the car should be in a good place.”

LE CASTELLET, France, June 3, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing has partnered with Le Mans-based furniture designer and design studio Racing & Emotion, naming them a new Official Licensing Partner. The collaboration between Racing & Emotion and Genesis Magma Racing marks the creation of the team’s first collectible design and lifestyle partnership, with bespoke products from the company incorporated into the team’s hospitality spaces for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

Inspired by the Legend of Le Mans 

Racing & Emotion was founded as a tribute to motorsport, based in the city where the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been responsible for creating legends of manufacturers and drivers for more than a century. Racing & Emotion creates motorsport-inspired collectible design pieces and furniture celebrating racing culture, craftsmanship and the heritage of Le Mans. 

Now the Magma livery that will appear on both Genesis GMR-001 Hypercars for their debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans will join some of the most famous liveries in racing as part of the Racing & Emotion collection. The identity and philosophy of Genesis Magma Racing will be translated into several designs from the Racing & Emotion range, including the signature Art Ball Chairs and other limited-edition objects inspired by the GMR-001 Hypercar. 

“Through this multi-year collaboration, our two brands unite around a shared commitment to luxury, craftsmanship and savoir-faire, each within their own field of expertise,” said Benoit Fraylon, Racing & Emotion Founder. “With Genesis Magma Racing, we found a common vision where passion, performance and design naturally converge. Together, our ambition is to transform that racing emotion into collectible design pieces and works of art, extending the experience beyond the track and bringing the spirit of Genesis Magma Racing into living spaces.” 

Four signature Art Ball Chairs — two each carrying the #17 and #19 numbers of the GMR-001 Hypercar in the race — will be part of Genesis’ hospitality setup during the 24 Hours of Le Mans, showcasing the product to the manufacturer’s invited guests and the potential of the new partnership. 

Racing and Design Combine for Genesis Magma Racing 

For Genesis Magma Racing, collaborating with an exciting motorsport-inspired, design-led brand reflects the team’s own values and philosophy and that of the Genesis brand it represents in the FIA WEC competition. 

In contrast with Racing & Emotion’s philosophy of motorsport inspiring design, the GMR-001 Hypercar is inspired by Genesis’ own “Athletic Elegance” design philosophy. In the creation of the team, the manufacturer has been able to take this to the natural extremes allowed within a specially designed race car. The GMR-001 Hypercar features the same simple parabolic lines seen in all Genesis models, as well as the iconic Two-Line headlamps that will be crucial during the hours of darkness on track during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

Though only in their first season of racing in the FIA WEC, Genesis Magma Racing have already captured the attention of many fans after its competitive debut at the 6 Hours of Imola and first points-scoring finish at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps last month. However, a first visit to the 24 Hours of Le Mans is a further significant challenge for the team, especially coming so early in the history of the team. 

“Le Mans, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is a central point of the FIA WEC season,” said Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke. “Success at Le Mans can create legends of manufacturers, and that is what Racing & Emotion’s designs celebrate with some of the color schemes that have become timeless symbols and transcended motorsport to become icons of their own.” 

He continued, “This is obviously something we aim for with Genesis, Genesis Magma Racing and the Magma livery the GMR-001 Hypercar will carry at Le Mans. We know we have a lot of work to do before we can earn a place to join the rich heritage legacy of endurance racing celebrated through Racing & Emotion’s creations, but to be included alongside them is certainly a small first step.” 

LE CASTELLET, France, June 1, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing has revealed the special livery that will be carried by the team’s pair of GMR-001 Hypercars for the team’s debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The design returns the team’s livery to the Magma-inspired livery shown at the Genesis area of the Manufacturer Village at the 2025 event.

Inspired by Korean Energy and Culture

The livery’s colors take inspiration from the lava at the heart of the Magma name, created in reference to the volcanic origins of the Korean peninsula and the energy that lies below the surface of South Korea. The presence of power below the surface is also present in Korean culture, embodied by the humble confidence shown by the country’s people in the public eye.

Like them, Genesis Magma Racing has high targets and confidence that it can achieve them, but also embodies a humble approach, especially in its debut year in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Despite surprising many by scoring points in just its second race in the championship at last month’s 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, Genesis Magma Racing remains focused on the reliability of the GMR-001 Hypercar and the challenge of reaching the finish in its first 24-hour race.

“For the entire Genesis brand, including of course Genesis Magma Racing, design is one of the foundational pillars,” said Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke. “Fans and supporters have been vocal in their love of the Magma Orange concept livery that was unveiled last year, and, as always, Genesis takes our supporters’ feedback into consideration by bringing it to reality with a bold evolution. More than a race livery, it’s an artful statement — where color and form convey the unique performance identity of Genesis.”

The gradual color shift over the length of the GMR-001 Hypercar flows from the signature Magma Orange at the front — a hue symbolizing Korea’s vibrant energy — to deep red at the rear, evoking a sense of speed and rising intensity, mirroring both the temperature of a high-performance engine and the acoustic shift of the Doppler effect as a car passes at full speed. The livery retains the hangeul lettering for “Magma” (마그마) over the length of the car, now in a contrasting gradient, running from red at the front of the car to Magma Orange at the rear.

The team’s two cars – #17 and #19 – will both carry the design for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The two liveries differ in the #19 sporting white Genesis and Genesis Magma Racing logos and additional highlights compared to the orange and black of the #17 entry.

Working With Technical Partner to Perfect Design

“The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the biggest weekend of our year,” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “It is the toughest test we face during the FIA WEC season, especially as a team in our first season, but it is also our biggest opportunity to show the identity of Genesis and Genesis Magma Racing to the world through racing.”

He added: “Since we launched the team in December 2024, Magma has been a key part of our name and our identity, so to be able to bring Genesis Magma fully to life on track is very important. The cars look fantastic, and as a team we will be working to make sure our performance matches the level of attention that has gone into creating the designs.”

Donckerwolke explained: “As we do for every production car, we will keep innovating and testing new solutions to always be recognized and unique. Genesis global design has worked hand in hand with the racing team to create a striking yet lightweight livery for the biggest race of the 2026 WEC season, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

To bring the design to life, Genesis Magma Racing has worked closely with Technical Partner HEXIS to perfect the gradient design to look its best both standing on the grid and racing at full speed. Drawing on the expertise of HEXIS and its latest generation of wrapping films, these ultra-conformable adhesives have been specially developed to enhance the colors from every angle. The specially engineered films are capable of enduring the harsh conditions of endurance racing, from high-velocity airflow and heat to track debris. To guarantee this, HEXIS’s BODYFENCE steps in as an invisible armor; this advanced paint protection film keeps the livery spotless and fiercely glossy, ensuring that gravel and track grit won't dull the design, all without adding unnecessary weight, while meeting the strict design brief for the livery. From the afternoon sun to the dead of night on the Mulsanne Straight, the GMR-001 Hypercar will catch the light in a unique way, ensuring a spectacular visual impact without compromising the car’s performance.

This second installment of the 2026 WEC Season Guide explores the strategy and tactics used in endurance racing.

What Happens During a Race?

Racing teams typically consist of two cars and three drivers per car who take turns driving over the race’s duration. Each turn is called a stint. Physical and mental stamina are crucial; races are a real test of endurance for both humans and machines.

A lot of planning goes into each race. Race strategy goes far beyond mere speed on the track in WEC. Teams must carefully consider everything including tire regulations, fuel management and pit stop timing to optimize performance. This strategic decision-making can significantly impact lap times and overall race outcomes, as teams aim to balance speed with durability.

Tire Trade-Offs

In endurance racing, tires are a critical strategic resource. The WEC strictly regulates every aspect of their use, from the number of sets available for a race weekend (depending on race duration) to the types of tire compounds allowed. Teams are permitted only two specifications of dry-weather tires, soft and hard, and one specification for wet weather. Soft tires provide maximum grip for faster laps but also degrade quickly, while hard tires are slower but last longer.

This creates some crucial strategic trade-offs. Pushing the car too hard will wear out soft tires quickly, forcing an extra, time-consuming pit stop. Conversely, being too conservative by running harder tires might save the need for a pit stop but cost valuable seconds on every lap. Teams must constantly analyze track temperature, weather conditions and driver feedback to decide the perfect moment to change tires, a call that can ultimately determine the difference between victory and defeat.

Pit Stop Precision

Pit stops in WEC races are intense moments that require precision and coordination. With strict rules governing how these stops are executed, every second counts. Each team is limited to 11 crew members, with each person assigned a specific role: one car controller, one refueller, one fire extinguisher holder, one cut-off valve attendant, one cockpit helper, four mechanics and two tire and brake technicians. This structured approach ensures that each aspect of the pit stop is handled efficiently, but it also adds pressure, as any mistake can lead to costly delays. 

Safety is paramount during pit stops. All personnel must remain behind a designated safety line when the car enters or leaves the pit area, and the engine must be turned off before any team member can approach the vehicle. Additionally, teams are allowed only two tire guns — one for each tire-and-brake technician. In a significant change to previous regulations, tire changes and refueling can now occur simultaneously, allowing teams to minimize pit stop duration and maintain competitive momentum.

Driver Swapping

In the WEC, driver-change strategies focus on rotating up to three drivers per car to manage fatigue and optimize performance across race durations from six to 24 hours, with each stint typically lasting 45 minutes to one hour or until a fuel tank is depleted. While there is no specific limitation on how long a single driver can be in a Hypercar, each driver of a team must complete at least one lap to qualify as a member of a racing team during a race.

Strategic timing of swaps is critical, as teams balance driver freshness, especially during night stints or fatigue-heavy periods, with pit stop efficiency to gain or maintain track position. For instance, double or triple stints allow one driver to push longer before handing off. Synchronizing changes with refueling and tire swaps minimize time loss. Poor timing can drop a car a lap behind, making recovery difficult without safety car periods. Swaps occur in the pit lane with the engine off, executed rapidly by limited crews.

Safety Procedures

• Full Course Yellow: When there is an incident on track and all cars must slow to 80 kilometers per hour. Intended for allowing interventions that will take less than one lap.
   

• Safety Car: All cars bunch into a single line at a maximum of 80 kilometers per hour due to an incident on track.
   

• Virtual Safety Car: Similar to a Full Course Yellow, but in WEC races a Virtual Safety Car period is always followed by a Safety Car period.

Reading the Race: Flag Signals

Flags enable Race Control to communicate with drivers on the track.

Green Flag

Signals the start of the race or the end of a caution period, indicating that drivers can race as normal. 

Checkered Flag

Marks the end of the race.

Yellow Flag

Indicates that there is a hazard on the track, requiring drivers to slow down.

Blue Flag

Indicates that faster cars are approaching, and the driver should let them pass.

Red Flag

Means the race is stopped due to an accident or bad weather resulting in dangerous racing conditions. Cars must either return to the pit road or stop on the track immediately.

Yellow/Red Flag

Signifies that something on the track could cause cars to lose control, such as oil or debris.

Black Flag

Displayed with a car number, indicates that a driver has violated a rule and must return to the pit stop.

Black and White Flag

Displayed with a car number, it signals unsportsmanlike conduct.

Black Flag with Orange Circle

Displayed with a car number, indicates that a vehicle has serious mechanical issues or loose bodywork that poses a risk to others. The car must make a pit stop for inspection.

Penalties

Failure to comply with sporting rules or safety regulations will result in penalties for teams.

• Drive-Through: The driver must enter the pit lane and exit back onto the track without stopping.
   

• Stop-and-Go: The driver must enter the pit lane, come to a complete stop in their pit box, and then exit to rejoin the race.
   

• Pit Stop Time Penalty: The driver must enter the pit lane, stop in their pit box for a specified amount of time, and only then exit and rejoin the race.

Other Useful Terms

• Chicane: A sequence of corners where drivers must go left, then immediately right – or vice-versa. (e.g., Ford Chicanes at Le Mans, Variante Alta at Imola).
   

• Cockpit: The space in the car where the driver sits. 
   

• Energy: A combination of fuel and hybrid power. The maximum amount of energy used defines a stint’s maximum length. 
   

• Free Practice: The first session of any race weekend, where teams set up their cars for the specific needs of each individual circuit. 
   

• Garage: Where each car is worked on between sessions and where teams will complete any major repairs during the race. Also often referred to as the “box.” 
   

• Hairpin: A sharp 180-degree – or near 180-degree – corner, often the slowest point on a circuit (e.g., La Source at Spa).
   

• Hypercar: The premier class of the FIA World Endurance Championship, where Genesis Magma Racing is competing in 2026. Also, the name of one of the technical regulations to which cars can be built. 
   

• Hyperpole: The final part of Qualifying where the fastest 10 (eight at Le Mans) from each class compete for Pole Position. 
   

• LMDh: Another set of technical regulations that cars in the Hypercar class can be built to. The GMR-001 is built to LMDh regulations. 
   

• LMGT3: Alongside Hypercar, the other full-time class in the FIA World Endurance Championship for cars more closely based on road-going sports cars. 
   

• LMP2: A secondary class of Prototype racing that only joins the FIA World Endurance Championship at the 24 Hours of Le Mans but is the top class in the European Le Mans Series where Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program drivers have been competing in since 2025. 
   

• Pass Around: When cars on track between the Safety Car and their class leader may overtake the Safety Car and join the back of the line. 
   

• Out-braking: When one driver overtakes another by braking later than a rival before a corner. 
   

• Paddock: The area of any racetrack where the teams are based, including where hospitality areas are often based. 
   

• Pit Lane: The area away from the main racetrack where teams complete their pit stops or wait before the start of a Free Practice or Qualifying session. 
   

• Pit Wall: The wall between the pitlane and racetrack, where the Race Engineer, Team Strategists and other key figures often work. 
   

• Pole Position: The first position on the grid, awarded to the fastest car in the Qualifying sessions. 
   

• Qualifying: The session where speed really counts and the grid is decided by each car’s fastest lap during the session. 
   

• Race Engineer: The team member who leads the team on track, deciding the strategy for each car – when to pit for fuel, new tires or a driver change. 
   

• Slipstream: When one car follows closely behind another, often to gain time and complete an overtake. 
   

• Stint, Double Stint, Triple Stint: A driver’s turn in the car between pit stops. The minimum and maximum length of a stint are set by the regulations. When a driver drives two or more of these durations it is called a double or triple stint. It can also apply to tires.

Endurance racing is a multifaceted sport where strategy, precision and teamwork are just as important as pure speed. With these fundamental ideas in mind, new fans of the sport can better understand and appreciate the drama and excitement of GMR’s WEC journey.

Stay tuned for part 3.

STAVELOT, Belgium, May 10, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing scored its first points in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), as Pipo Derani brought the #17 GMR-001 Hypercar home in eighth place at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. The team took advantage of an aggressive strategy decision in the final hour of the race, with the Brazilian able to defend his position in the final part of the race.

Result Highlights Team’s Early Progress

The two starting drivers, André Lotterer and Dani Juncadella, held their positions at the start of the race. Good pace and a strategy decision to only partially fuel Jaubert for his second stint of the race allowed the #17 car to climb up to tenth before the Frenchman made way for Pipo Derani with just over 2:30 remaining in the race.

Facing an issue that left the car down on power, the team made another aggressive strategy decision at the final stop under a Virtual Safety Car that, though giving the team track position, left Derani at a disadvantage compared to those around him. Taking the restart with 34 minutes remaining in eighth place, he was able to move up as others suffered incidents ahead. After a brief exchange of positions on a final restart ten minutes later, where Derani briefly ran as high as sixth, he settled into eighth place. Defending superbly through the closing stages against drivers with newer tires, he held on to score Genesis Magma Racing’s first points in just the second start for the team.

A fix to an electrical issue lost the #19 entry seven laps after the opening hour of the contest. However, with the problem solved efficiently by the team, they were able to use the remainder of the race to gather crucial data about the balance of the GMR-001 Hypercar in different situations. With this goal in mind, Jaminet took two rear tires at his stop mid-way through his double-stint, reporting the effect on balance back to the garage.

In line with the team’s goals before the race, the focus in the final hours became bringing the car successfully to the end, maximizing the experience gained from the weekend and repeating their achievement from the season opener.

Genesis Magma Racing Team Management Quotes

Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul, said: “In only our second participation in an Endurance race, we could not have dreamt of a better place than Spa to score the very first points in the history of Genesis Magma Racing. We are still a very young team and this result is an extremely emotional moment for all its members, and I hope that will make the entire Hyundai Motor Group proud. As we had some issues with power and with energy consumption, we decided to make an aggressive strategic move towards the end of the race with a very short stop with the #17 GMR-001 Hypercar perfectly executed by the pit crew and Pipo, and it played out very nicely. We need to  continue to consolidate our foundation so that we can be here and beyond on a regular basis, but it's great that it's coming now because it also gives us  the momentum to tackle as many of the issues we have been facing before the next major milestone in our program in Le Mans.”

Gabriele Tarquini, Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director, said: “This is an amazing result for all of Genesis Magma Racing and the #17 GMR-001 Hypercar team. We were under a lot of pressure at the end. Pipo did a fantastic job because we had some issues. He deserved his position because he protected his position superbly at the end. He did a fantastic job, as did André Lotterer and Mathys Jaubert, who drove before him. Despite improvements since Imola, the #19 car unfortunately had some problems again. Step by step we need to climb the hill.”

Justin Taylor, Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer, said: “My heart is still racing from the last two hours. It wasn't easy. We faced some technical difficulties, and we worked through them as a team. This is just going to be a super motivational factor for us moving into the big race next. I am absolutely thrilled with the way that we worked together, the way all the drivers performed. We were really a two-car team with an army of people behind, and we all worked together. We learned a lot of things as well on the operational and technical sides. We learned that we still have some weaknesses. We were able to limp through, but we need to be stronger for the next one.”

Anouck Abadie, Genesis Magma Racing Team manager, said: “Finishing the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps was a challenge. We will have a full season full of challenges, but this one was certainly a tough one. I think we are showing that we are capable of working together to face whatever comes at us. We had some scary moments but in the end the guys did an amazing job and we crossed the finish line with both cars, and the #17 GMR-001 Hypercar in a very good position. So now it's very positive. We still need to work on some procedures to see how we can optimize some issues that we have faced, but we need to learn from that and then get the best out of it.”

Driver Quotes - #17 GMR-001 Hypercar

Pipo Derani said: “We were battling some issues from the moment I got in the car. From that moment, I was trying to survive, understand what we could do to improve, and get the #17 GMR-001 Hypercar to the checkered flag. I kept pushing Mathieu Leroy for a strategy to get track position in order to try and maybe hold the cars behind, because it was the only way we would get to the points. I was fighting to manage the energy, asking the engineers the numbers, but at the end we did just that, and I was able to hold quite a few cars behind. I just kept my head down. I'm very proud of the team, and to be able to bring the first points home to Genesis Magma Racing. It's been a long time coming, but yet so early days for us.”

Mathys Jaubert said: “The race was amazing. As we did in ELMS last year, Mathieu Leroy [#17  race engineer] did a mega job on the strategy. We might have been a bit lucky with the last full course yellow, but we had to be in the right place to be lucky. What a race. We did a pretty good job. For me, the #17 GMR-001 Hypercar was great, no issues at all. We were able, like in Imola, to keep the other cars behind when we were fighting for top ten positions. So, the first points is a good step. Now the next race is Le Mans. It's going to be a new one for the team and the longest one. It's a bit harder and we need to keep working to improve. We will take many lessons from this one, because now the focus is to take the experience we have and prepare for our 24 Hours race.”

André Lotterer said: “It‘s very emotional for the whole team to have this result. The strategy came towards us, we were a bit aggressive, but we take it. It's a very big day for Genesis Magma Racing and the whole brand to be able to score our first points so early in this journey. Pipo did some amazing defending. It was really a tough job for him, to be longer on the tires and also we had issues with the car that he had to manage, but he kept his cool and really, really did a good job. What we did in Imola was a great achievement for the team. We had similar aims to be at the finish line and establish ourselves in this championship. But secretly, I had hopes for our first points and they came.”

Driver Quotes - #19 GMR-001 Hypercar

Dani Juncadella said: “It was a difficult race for the #19 GMR-001 Hypercar, of course, because we had the electrical issue. But after that, a bit like in Imola, we drove to the end and we completed a lot of mileage, and we had encouraging pace. It’s amazing for the #17, they get this result. That's a win for everybody in the team. So early in the development phase and the first time racing in Spa with the car, and we score points, that's just incredible. It’s really good for all the team. We drove both cars to the finish line, got a lot of mileage and we were fighting other cars already on a difficult track. I feel every race we're making steps forward.”

Mathieu Jaminet said: “It was a bit of a tough day for us with the issue at the start and another small issue again with me. After that, we ran actually pretty smoothly. We drove to the end, so that was good and we had some good pace at stages. We can take some really good learning from the weekend, which is a good thing. We tried some different tire strategies with me.  I’m happy that we leave Spa with a lot more knowledge than before we arrived. So I take that as a really good positive and on a good note, the sister car scores some points which is very good for the spirit of the team. It's a pretty amazing achievement. Hats off to that, and this should only give us a big push to work even harder for the future.”

Paul-Loup Chatin said: “My stint at the end was good. The car behaved well. We were unfortunately a few laps done with a small issue we had at the beginning, but one more time, I think we confirmed that we have a strong and nice car in the GMR-001 Hypercar with good potential and the best is ahead of us, but shows us what we still need to work on to not lose time with the small issue. It's part of motorsport, but we need to be capable of solving it. But it's a learning curve. I'm super happy for our sister car to score the first point for Genesis Magma Racing. They built this story and they made history today. I think it was really important to get those points before Le Mans. I'm super proud of the entire team and I can't wait to be back at Le Mans in a few weeks.”

2026 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps Results – Hypercar class

2026 FIA World Endurance Championship standings – Manufacturer Hypercar class

LE CASTELLET, France, May 7, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing has entered the realm of esports and sim racing for the first time with the launch of GMR Esports. The expansion into esports is a key part of Genesis’ goal to increase awareness of the brand and Genesis Magma Racing among a diverse audience, including further raising the profile of the team in South Korea. 

Esports Squad Supports Main Goals of Team 

The team will compete in official esports events organized on the official game of the series, Le Mans Ultimate, developed by Motorsport Games, including Online Championships, World Endurance Championship Special Events and future official esports competitions. 

In joining these events, GMR Esports will support the work of Genesis Magma Racing. The Esports team will compete in virtual models of the same GMR-001 Hypercar from the WEC, carrying a similar distinctive livery as their on-track counterparts. The team’s presence in the events will help further expand the awareness of the Genesis brand outside of the traditional motorsport audience, just as Genesis Magma Racing aims to expand the following of the manufacturer with its more performance-orientated image and approach. 

Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul said: “Genesis Magma Racing is a large project and we want to be successful everywhere we compete, including with GMR Esports. The creation of GMR Esports makes the team, GMR-001 Hypercar and the Genesis brand more accessible to a wider audience and the success of our drivers in online competition will complement the work of the race team on track.” 

He continued: “Esports is increasingly becoming an entry point to motorsport, so it is very important to have Genesis and Genesis Magma Racing represented there. Esports provides a gateway for would-be drivers to develop their talents, prove themselves to teams in official events, and build a professional racing career. If GMR Esports and our work with Le Mans Ultimate can provide a route for new drivers and fans, then we can certainly take that as a positive, on top of any event results.” 

The launch of GMR Esports builds on Genesis Magma Racing’s existing partnership with Motorsport Games, with Le Mans Ultimate branding featured on the GMR-001 Hypercar. This close collaboration has already enabled the GMR-001 Hypercar to be brought to Le Mans Ultimate ahead of its first competitive outing, giving fans an early opportunity to experience the car in action and underlining a shared commitment to authenticity. 

Virtual and Real-world Racing Experience Combined 

GMR Esports is made of a stable of seven drivers — six main drivers and one reserve, similar to the makeup of the Genesis Magma Racing FIA World Endurance Championship team. The esports drivers are a mix of European and Korean talent and blend proven professional virtual racing and real-world experience, including competing in some of the biggest races in the world. 

The team is led by Dutchman Collin Spork. A former Formula Sim Racing World Champion and a Virtual Endurance World Championship winner in the Hypercar category, Spork combines elite-level sim racing with ongoing work supporting professional race teams as a Simulation and Development Driver. He brings a strong focus on detail and collaboration, helping translate simulator learning into actionable performance gains. 

As well as a driving role, Spork will also take on the technical and development lead within the team. Spork said: “This program is about more than just results — it’s about building a team that can push the limits of the GMR-001 Hypercar in the virtual world and feed that learning back into everything Genesis Magma Racing stands for. Le Mans Ultimate gives us a platform that rewards detail, discipline and teamwork, and that’s exactly the environment we want to develop in. My focus is to make sure we arrive prepared, keep improving every session and represent the Genesis brand with the same professionalism and ambition you see on track.” 

Further leadership is provided by Nissan GT Academy alumni Jesper Pedersen and Slovenian Jernej Simončič, two of endurance sim racing’s most established competitors. Pedersen is an Endurance eRacing World Champion and a Virtual Endurance Championship Division 1 GT3 champion and also a Le Mans Virtual Bahrain 8 Hours overall winner. Alongside his esports record, the Dane brings real-world experience including Formula Ford and national endurance racing. 

Simončič has built a reputation as one of the standout drivers in global esports, with multiple Formula Sim Racing World Championship titles and a record of winning at the highest level across formats, including major LAN finals. He also brings proven endurance credentials highlighted by podium finishes in virtual editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and front-running results in the Virtual Endurance Championship. 

Korean Talent Expands Aims of Program 

Genesis Magma Racing’s expansion into esports also provides a new avenue for the team to connect with its growing Korean audience. “GMR Esports and Genesis Magma Racing will work together to achieve our shared goals,” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “There is no WEC round in the country, but esports are very popular in South Korea. GMR Esports gives us a new, key way to engage with our Korean audience, making Genesis Magma Racing, Genesis and motorsport far more accessible to the new fans we aim to create.” 

Taking advantage of a strong talent pool in the country, four South Korean drivers have been selected to be part of the GMR Esports lineup: Hyukjin Kwon, Gyumin Kim and Youngchan Kim. All three have virtual racing experience, including representing South Korea in the esports disciplines of the FIA Motorsport Games, where Gyumin Kim claimed the Bronze Medal in the F4 class. All three drivers are also regulars in the Hyundai N Festival race series. 

Hyukjin was a four-time race winner in the N2 class of the Hyundai N Festival last year. Gyumin is a former N1 class champion, the highest category in the series, having claimed the title in 2024 before Youngchan went on to secure the championship last season. The success of Gyumin and Youngchan has also led them onto the international stage: in 2025, Gyumin made his debut in the U.S.-based TC America series, while both drivers have become regulars at the Nürburgring 24 Hours where they will make their third and second starts respectively next week. 

The team is completed by Reserve Driver Rokyeong Kang, a 17-year-old rising talent. With experience in virtual competition such as the Hyundai N Virtual Cup, Kang also gained real-world race experience in the Hyundai N Festival, including competition in the N1 class where he secured a victory in the N1 Club category last season. He is viewed as a high-potential prospect for the future of the program. 

LE CASTELLET, France, May 3, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program drivers Jamie Chadwick, Laurents Hörr and Valerio Rinicella scored a second consecutive fourth place finish in the European Le Mans Series at the 4 Hours of Le Castellet. The team rose through the order, running in podium contention for much of the race at the home event of the IDEC Sport team.

Team in Podium Contention from Rear of Class

Jamie Chadwick was forced to start the #18 IDEC Sport Oreca 07 from the back of the LMP2 class field following a penalty in qualifying which led to the team being stripped of their result from the session. Despite the setback, she immediately made good progress — taking two positions on the opening lap and a further two before the first Virtual Safety Car period of the race less than 30 minutes into the contest.

She continued her progress up the order, combining overtakes on circuit and a strategy decision to extend her stint beyond several rivals to rise to third before pitting to hand driving over to Rinicella. The Italian, who had qualified the car, kept the team in position through the calmer middle part of the race, remaining in contact with the podium places as gaps on track ebbed with traffic and strategy decisions.

Hörr took over the car during another Virtual Safety Car intervention with a little over an hour remaining, taking the restart in fourth. The German showed the best pace of the car, setting the team’s fastest lap in pursuit of a podium. The racing of the final stint was frantic, with several leading teams making mistakes allowing Hörr to first take third and then inherit second when the two leaders clashed. However, Hörr had himself picked up damage on the front of the car. A slower final pitstop resulted from the team examining the damage but deciding not to replace the nose of the car. The extra time dropped the #18 from the podium places, now completed by the sister IDEC Sport entry. Instead, as the damage worsened through the final run — Hörr was unable to remount a challenge for third place, instead turning to concentrate on a successful defense to protect his own position.

Post Race Quotes - #18 IDEC Sport Oreca 07

Jamie Chadwick said: “It was good fun. Obviously starting at the back, we had some ground to make up, but I was able to make the most of the traffic and make up a few positions. It was a bit of max attack to get as far forward as possible, which made my stint a bit more fun in a way. Given the penalty and where we started, we can be pretty positive, but we always want more, especially because we were fighting for the podium for so long and it was small things at the very end. Equally, I’m happy for the #28 – they did a great job all weekend -and for us, I think it’s just going to make us hungrier. Two fourth places are good points, but you always want to stand on the podium.”

Valerio Rinicella said: “I think for where we started, fourth place is a mega result. We struggled a little bit with the set-up during Free Practice, but Qualifying was really strong from my side, but we had an issue with the weight, so we had to start last, which messed up a bit of our strategy. With Jamie, we recovered a lot, and my stint was very strong. Some laps in my stint I was lucky with traffic, some lap unlucky, but that’s endurance racing. Laurents also did a mega job fighting for podiums. I’m really happy we managed to make a good recovery, so we just need to be proud. P4 is good points for the championship, and we have to keep working for the next one, so let’s see for Imola.”

Laurents Hörr said: “Generally, we had a strong package this week. We could have made the podium. It was a pity about the last pitstop where we lost a lot of time. The last two strong were just full push, with a lot of track action. One car in front of me had a technical issue and slowed down quite abruptly. The two cars between us saw him in time, but for me it was too late. I touched him slightly. We still had great pace, and I fought for the podium, but with the damage we pushed the tires too hard and I really had to fight in the end to keep P4 which is a solid result for us. It was a really tough race, including some damage at the end, due to some contact. We managed everything well. The team did an incredible job. We had a great car, and a day like today is good for us as a team.”

Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini said: “Jamie, Valerio and Laurents can be incredibly proud of their performance at the 4 Hours of Le Castellet. The penalty after qualifying was unfortunate, but they and the team responded very well. Jamie had one of her best stints in the car to attack from the back of the class and get the team in contention for the podium, and Valerio and Laurents were able to keep the car in position. The last part of the race was really intense with mistakes and problems for other teams and Laurents moving up to second. Unfortunately, the damage at the end forced him to defend for the final laps. He kept the position well despite the pressure for another strong result.”

FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, May 1, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing aims to build on an encouraging debut weekend in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) when the series resumes at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. 

Team Aim to Maintain Momentum After Fast Turn Around 

Coming just three weeks after the team made its competitive debut at the 6 Hours of Imola, the race in Belgium gives Genesis Magma Racing a near-immediate opportunity to build on the learnings and momentum gained for the team’s first competitive outing. The pair of GMR-001 Hypercars showed good reliability and pace against the more experienced manufacturers on the grid after a combined Prologue and race weekend. 

However, though obviously wanting to capitalize on a positive first event, the team are wary of over-confidence and remain focused on its own performance – continuing the work they began in Imola. In the short time between the two events the team has been able to analyze its own performance, finding ways to improve its operational processes throughout the team, while keeping the on-track focus on confirming the reliability of the GMR-001 Hypercar. 

The 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is a formidable challenge for any team, especially one still taking its first steps. The Ardennes circuit is one of the most challenging in the world. The seven-kilometer track features long flat-out sections and famous high-speed corners such as Raidillon and Blanchimont, but also a tighter, more technical, second sector that necessitates a constant compromise on setup. The track is also infamous for unpredictable weather, capable of generating a mix of conditions over the course of single day, let alone a race weekend, giving the team’s engineers another variable to consider in every decision. 

The 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps is scheduled to start at 14:00 local time (GMT+2) on Saturday, May 9. As in the first race of the season both GMR-001 Hypercar will be shared by the full three-driver lineup – Pipo Derani, Mathys Jaubert and André Lotterer in the #17 entry and Paul-Loup Chatin, Mathieu Jaminet and Dani Juncadella in the sister #19 car. 

Genesis Magma Racing Team Management Quotes 

Cyril Abiteboul, Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal, said: “What we achieved in Imola was obviously encouraging, but we need to keep building on the foundations we have built. There have only been a few weeks since our first race, but that has given us time to reflect on our debut weekend and take some lessons which we can apply right away at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. We saw we have the performance and reliability in the GMR-001 Hypercar, and the ability in the team to compete in the Hypercar class; now we have to make sure we can do that for a full race. For Spa we stay focused on delivering on the things that we can control – confirming what we saw at Imola, while beginning to push a little for performance. If we can repeat all the things that we did well in Imola, while taking the extra forward steps that we are aiming for, then we will be able to take our challenge further up the order and keep making the forward steps we need to reach our goals for our first year of racing.” 

Gabriele Tarquini, Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director, said: “Imola gave us some positive signs and showed the work we have done is moving in the right direction. However, it was only the first race, so we need to stay realistic and keep focused on improving step by step. Spa is a very demanding circuit, both for the car and drivers. The combination of high-speed corners, long straights and changing weather conditions makes it one of the biggest challenges of the season. Not having tested our car at Spa beforehand is an extra challenge for us, but the experience that some of our drivers have at the circuit could help us compensate for that. We are still very early in our program, so every event gives us another valuable opportunity to understand more about the car, improve our package and continue building confidence as a team. Our target for the weekend is clear: to confirm the progress we made in Imola, keep learning and take another step forward in performance and consistency.” 

Justin Taylor, Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer, said: “Our focus in our first race was on learning and executing the basics of an FIA WEC weekend. We were successful in gathering a tremendous amount of data, something which was never possible in testing, and we can now use this information and our extra experience to adjust our approach for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. Spa will bring new challenges with the big compression at Eau Rouge and the speed through Pouhon. It’s a very different challenge to what we faced in Imola, due to the lower downforce nature of the track, so we’ll be able to get some important information about how the handling balance and, undoubtedly, we will gain more information about the 2026 tire. Our focus in Spa will again be on execution and maximizing mileage with the GMR-001 Hypercar to give us as much data as possible to take into the start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.” 

Driver Quotes - #17 GMR-001 Hypercar 

Pipo Derani said: “With our first race and finish completed, we are now preparing for Spa-Francorchamps with the goal of making further progress and advancing the development of the GMR-001 Hypercar. Completing the race in Imola with both cars without significant problems has eased some pressure and allows us to concentrate more on performance and execution moving forward, which is particularly important as we move further into the season. There is still much to improve, but we are satisfied with the outcome of the weekend in Imola and aim to maintain a steady pace of progress for Spa. It is quite a different circuit from Imola, so adapting quickly to the track will be important for our learning. I am interested to see how our car performs on this type of track and am ready to get back on track.” 

Mathys Jaubert said: “From Imola I think the biggest takeaway is how strong we were operationally as a team. We executed a clean, controlled race with no major issues, and that’s the kind of foundation we want to carry forward. Personally, I really enjoy racing at Spa. It’s one of the most iconic circuits with a great flow and some very challenging sections. You need commitment and precision, especially in high-speed corners, and the changing weather can make things even more complex. For the car it’s a real test in terms of balance and efficiency over a long lap, so getting everything right is key. The goal is to repeat what we did well in Imola: a clean, well-managed weekend, maximizing every session and putting ourselves in a strong position for the race. If we do that, the result will follow.” 

André Lotterer said: “Very excited to race in Spa as always, as I grew up in Belgium since I was 1 year old. I was playing there a lot as a kid in my father’s race team, and then later on my go-kart tuner was based at the track. I have great memories there, winning WEC races and my only F1 race there, so it’s always a highlight of the year for me. I can’t wait to see all the fans, because there are always a lot there. What we can take from Imola is that we did well on operations and we were effective in everything with almost no problems, so now we can focus more on performance after the debut was ticked off. Spa a demanding circuit, with one of the most exciting corners of the season in Eau Rouge. It’s a high-energy track for the tires, so it’s really interesting for the car setup. We would like to aim for the points. We are still learning how we compare to our rivals, but we saw in Imola that we could compete a little bit, so it would be great if we can push for a bit more.” 

Driver Quotes - #19 GMR-001 Hypercar 

Paul-Loup Chatin said: “Spa is an iconic circuit that we all look forward to visiting every year, so I’m really looking forward to driving there for the first time with the GMR-001 Hypercar. It’s a circuit that requires the best compromise between aerodynamic performance and top speed. From a driving perspective, confidence is key, as well as tire management, which remains a real unknown with the new 2026 tire. First, we need to confirm the positives from Imola and continue progressing in terms of execution and operations. It’s also important to freeze certain processes to build strong routines as a new team. Once these are in place it means we can arrive at any track with a real sense of confidence and calmness and be better placed to react to unexpected things. Our overall package should allow us to fight with the others in the race, and crossing the finish line around tenth position would be a great reward and motivation for the whole team.” 

Mathieu Jaminet said: “I’m looking forward to the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. It’s a very short turn-around after Imola but I think we had a pretty strong first weekend, so I hope we can keep the momentum and the spirit we had in Italy for the second round. It’s important to see where we are in Spa. It’s a very different track – it’s very fast compared to Imola, so it will be a good place to learn more about the characteristics of the GMR-001 Hypercar. I know Spa really, really well, but I’ve never had the chance to race a Prototype there before – I’ve always raced in GT. I have some really good memories from those races, so I’m looking forward to my first Hypercar race there, and to see how we go as a team. It will be a very important weekend to learn, so every session and lap is going to be important, and I hope we can bring the two cars to the finish again.” 

Dani Juncadella said: “Spa is a really good place. It’s one of my favorite tracks and one of the highlights of the WEC season. I really enjoy racing there. I’ve won the 24 Hours of Spa in GT3, so it’s a place I have fond memories of. Last year in ELMS we crossed the line second after a very strong race – but unfortunately got a penalty. Spa is a track that has a lot of different characteristics, such as a long straight and a good combination of high- and low-speed corners. That makes it very challenging as a driver, and it’s not easy for the engineers to set up the car. You need to think about where you want to maximize the performance. We can take a lot of positives from Imola. We were not expecting to be so competitive so early in the development of the GMR-001 Hypercar. However, we need to keep on learning the class, learning the car so we’ll take the weekend in Spa session-by-session and try to maximize what we have.” 

What is Endurance Racing?

Endurance racing is a marathon rather than a sprint. It is a thrilling motorsport discipline that tests not only the speed and skills of drivers but also the durability of vehicles and teamwork over extended periods.

It involves teams of drivers who share a car, rotating in stints over race durations that commonly range from 6 to 24 hours. The core challenge is not just to finish first but also to cover the most distance in the allotted time while managing fatigue, pit stops, car reliability and changing track and weather conditions.

Why is Genesis Getting into Endurance Racing?

Endurance racing provides an unparalleled platform to push automotive engineering to its limits, serving as the ultimate testing ground for innovation. Genesis Magma Racing (GMR) serves to validate Genesis’ capabilities and credibility under the most extreme competitive conditions. Endurance racing demands high-speed aerodynamics, advanced cooling systems and durability over grueling hours-long competitions — conditions that cannot be replicated through conventional development.

For Genesis, this is a pathway to refine technologies and transfer those learnings into the design and performance of its mass-production vehicles. Motorsport is not just about making the podium. It is about putting design principles and institutional knowledge to the ultimate test and, through that test, refining them to enhance quality and engineering excellence across the entire Genesis lineup.

Forging a New Legacy

Genesis will become the first South Korean automobile manufacturer to compete in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans this year. Genesis Magma Racing carries a dual mission: to compete at the highest level of endurance racing and to serve as a cultural ambassador, bringing the excitement of this global sport to Korea.

The team is fielding two GMR-001 Hypercars in each race, numbered 17 and 19. Each car is piloted by a team of three drivers, a blend of decorated veterans and exceptional young talent.

The #17 Hypercar is piloted by André Lotterer, Luis “Pipo” Derani and Mathys Jaubert. Lotterer brings a wealth of prototype experience as a three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and former WEC champion. Derani has previously conquered the top class of the North American International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). And Jaubert was just promoted from the GMR Trajectory Program, proving his readiness with three ELMS victories in 2025.

The #19 Hypercar is shared by Paul-Loup Chatin, Dani Juncadella and Mathieu Jaminet. Chatin is a two-time European Le Mans Series champion with recent race-winning experience in the Hypercar class. Juncadella is a versatile winner in both GT and prototype machinery, while Jaminet has several IMSA wins on his record.

GMR Trajectory Program driver Jamie Chadwick will serve as reserve driver this season.

About FIA WEC

WEC is a racing series governed by FIA. It is made up of a set of races spanning the globe, with this year’s season having begun in Imola, Italy.

The 2026 FIA WEC race calendar consists of 8 races this year. The 6 Hours of Imola started April 17 and the final race, the 6 hours of Monza, ends November 8.

The races, dates and car classes allowed in WEC

WEC features a multi-class format where cars with different technical specifications race on the track simultaneously. Although they all share the same circuit, each class is effectively in its own race, competing for separate honors.

A comparison of the different endurance racing car classes.

Hypercar

The Hypercar class, in which Genesis Magma Racing competes, features the most technologically advanced prototypes from major manufacturers and heritage marques. Hypercars include both Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) and Le Mans Daytona h (LMDh) specifications. Regulations are defined jointly by FIA and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO). LMDh regulations are also defined jointly by the ACO and the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA).

LMH allows manufacturers freedom to design their cars from the ground up, while LMDh mandates the use of a standardized chassis and hybrid engine system.

LMGT3

The LMGT3 class is based closely on production grand tourers (GT) but with heavy modifications for racing. Usually, any extraneous frills are stripped out of the cars and replaced with a full roll cage and advanced safety systems.

LMP2

LMP2 is a secondary prototype class that only appears once in the WEC calendar, at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Each one is powered by the same standard engine on the same chassis to maintain affordability and tight competitions. This class is often used as a proving ground for teams and drivers aspiring to move up to the Hypercar class.

Genesis Magma Racing has an ongoing collaboration with French racing team IDEC Sport, which competes in the LMP2 category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the European Le Mans Series. Since 2025, GMR Trajectory Program drivers have been placed in the IDEC Sport cockpit to fine-tune their endurance racing skills and prepare them to potentially ascend to the Hypercar category.

Race Weekends Explained

Each race typically takes place over a three-day weekend, except for the four-day 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Day 1: Free Practice

The first day of the event consists of three timed practice sessions. Teams and drivers use them to fine-tune their car for the track and make any necessary last-minute adjustments.

Day 2: Qualifying

Qualifying races determine each car’s starting position on the grid on race day. Races consist of relatively short qualifying and Hyperpole sessions for each car class. After the first qualifying round, the top 10 finishers get a chance to race again in the Hyperpole qualifying race to vie a second time for Pole Position.

Day 3: Race Day

Race day begins with cars lining up on the grid based on their qualifying results. The cars are positioned at a slight angle next to the pit wall known as “ear of corn” or “echelon” style, with Hypercars in front of the LMGT3 class. After a single formation lap behind the safety car to warm up, the timed race officially begins as the safety car exits the track via the pit lane and the first race car passes the starting line a second time.

The Path to Victory

Pole sitters in reach class receive a point each ahead of the race. Race points are awarded based on the number of laps completed in the race timeframe. The car with the most laps completed in its class gets 1st place and the most points. The next nine cars each score a decreasing number of points.

Points earned by cars in each class based on finish position across different race durations.

In the event of a tie in the number of laps completed, the times in which the cars cross the finish line determine the order. Any car after 10^th place, or that has covered less than 70% of the distance of the 1^st car, does not receive points. At the end of the season, five different championship titles are awarded across the Hypercar and LMGT3 categories.

As a manufacturer team fielding two cars, Genesis Magma Racing qualifies to compete for two of the titles: the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Manufacturers’ Championship and the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Driver's Championship.

For the Manufacturers’ title, only points from its highest-finishing car in each race will contribute to this championship. The drivers of each car share the points awarded to their respective entry.

Stay tuned for part 2 explaining what happens during the race.

IMOLA, Italy, April 19, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing achieved many of its goals on its debut weekend in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), with both cars finishing the 6 Hours of Imola. The GMR-001 Hypercar proved its reliability and racing credentials over the combined Prologue test and race week, its record spoiled only by an issue in the opening hour of the race for the #19 car.

Both GMR-001 Hypercars showed strong pace throughout the series’ official Prologue test and practice sessions. The team’s preparations for the race culminated in qualifying, when Mathieu Jaminet set a best lap just 1.2 seconds from the fastest time in the first qualifying session – a promising benchmark for the brand-new team and car. The result was evidence of the hard work put in during the 499 days between the initial announcement of the team’s WEC entry and the first competitive track sessions for the 2026 season.

The honor of starting Genesis Magma Racing’s first race was given to André Lotterer and Dani Juncadella, in the #17 and #19, respectively. From the start the team kept to their pre-event aims – focusing on the aspects of the race within their control, the reliability of the GMR-001 Hypercar, and avoiding risks and penalties. The performance of the car was strong enough that this humble approach began to pay off.

Jaubert – the youngest driver in the 2026 Hypercar class – ran as high as the top ten, the Frenchman benefitting from the team successfully avoiding issues, while taking advantage of those who did not. As the drivers on track began to accomplish their aims, so did the team, executing each pitstop efficiently and navigating the Virtual Safety Car and Safety Car periods that punctuated the first half of the race. Mathys Jaubert pitted from twelfth at the end of his double stint. However, the choice not to change tires – waiting for rain that was never heavy enough to affect track conditions – left Pipo Derani unable to match the pace of those around him.

Rather than take risks in defense, the Brazilian focused on Genesis Magma Racing’s own targets to bring the car to the finish. He crossed the line two laps down, though the second lap was only given up on the final tour, congratulating the team over radio on making fine first steps with the car as he did so.

Though both GMR-001 Hypercars had run without any serious issues throughout the pair of Prologue test sessions and the race weekend, the importance of reliability in WEC competition was reinforced within the first 15 minutes of the race. A sensor issue in the #19 car, started by Dani Juncadella, necessitated a 30-minute stop in garage for the team to solve the problem before returning to the race, running without any further problem until the checkered flag to gain vital experience for team and drivers – Jaminet and Paul-Loup Chatin – ahead of the coming WEC events.

Genesis Magma Racing Team Management Quotes

Cyril Abiteboul, Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal, said: “All the way since we arrived for the Prologue, the team had a very encouraging start. As new entrants, we would never be set on outright performance; therefore we had assigned ourselves targets of reliability and execution. We started the week by focusing on accumulating mileage, something we achieved without issue or mistake during the Prologue and the free practices. Qualifying went to plan, but we could feel for the first time the pressure from a real competitive session. It was no different today, and the race did not start well, with an electronic issue on the #19 car that we elected to fix in the pits. On their side, André and Mathys in the #17 car could enjoy some very exciting racing against a number of other cars, but unfortunately the rain expected did not come when we pitted P9 for driver change. From that point, Pipo had to manage both tires and energy until the end. The main conclusion of this week is the strength of our foundations, and the potential of our racing team. I am very grateful to everyone who have entrusted both Luc Donckerwolke and myself to establish this program, our Executive Chair, our Vice Chair, our CEO. I really hope that we made them and the entire Hyundai Motor Group proud of Genesis’ debut in such a highly skilled World Championship. I am very pleased with the work achieved by the team and after this week we have lots to analyze back at base. But for today we are exactly where we worked to be at the start of our program.”

Gabriele Tarquini, Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director, said: “We did it! Our plan was to finish with both cars. The #17 was great – very good pace, and our approach was really conservative on the tire choice, but the pace was there. The first four stints were very good. And at the end, Pipo was very, very good and had a lot to deal with but he also showed the speed. The #19 car unfortunately had the small problem with a sensor in the beginning and lost 22 laps. That was a shame but after this problem they showed very good pace as well. Both cars were classified and watching the team we did not lose a single second on the pit stops. We have mechanics here who have never approached the WEC before. This really is our first time, and the team didn’t lose a second on any pit stop, and we should be very proud of the job from the team.”

Justin Taylor, Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer, said: “I don’t want to say that I can’t believe it, because what we have achieved was our target – but I can’t believe it! We did not just bring both cars to the finish, but we were actually discussing strategy calls and racing hard against other cars that have been here for some years. That makes me incredibly proud of the team and the drivers and the engineers and mechanics – everyone. It’s really cool to put this particular foundation down as a base to work from. Of course we want to win every race, but success looks like this for us today. All we wanted to do was learn, not repeat any mistakes that we made and we did that. It’s going to take a while to download all the data; we’ve only run as far as we have this weekend once in testing before now. But really, I think that we can be proud of every aspect of what we have achieved not only on the track but also behind the scenes in the way that the Genesis brand has been represented, with the look and feel that has been created, and in the level of support we have enjoyed from headquarters to reach this point. Now the hard work begins!”

Anouck Abadie, Genesis Magma Racing Team manager, said: “It’s a first step but a very good one. We are extremely happy. It was our objective to finish the race, no matter the position, and really we achieved that. I have no other words but thank you to the entire Genesis Magma Racing team and to the drivers, they did a mega job. Perfect. Thanks to Genesis for their support and belief in us. I think that this performance reflects that belief. I think the most important thing that I take away from this first experience is the way that the team came together to perform in a way that you couldn’t have imagined for what was their first race. I think we have surprised a lot of people in the paddock, and now we can look ahead with the confidence of having shown that we know what to do.”

Driver Quotes - #17 GMR-001 Hypercar

André Lotterer said: “It’s a very emotional moment, I think, for all Genesis Magma Racing to reach the end of the race and achieve the target we wanted. I see a lot of smiley emotional faces because it was not an easy task, you know, in 500 days to build a team and be operational – and we really were operational. We were in the mix at some points with the #17 GMR-001 Hypercar, P10. I had fun in the car in the first two stints, and I was able to stay with the pack. Mathys was in the mix for his stints. Then we had a strategic choice, we expected the rain to come right after the pit stop handing over from Mathys to Pipo so we took the decision not to change the tires because we expected we would soon change to wets. And the rain didn’t come! So Pipo did a really good job to keep our race alive on those old tires, it was not so fun for him but it’s just the beginning. I think we can be really proud of everyone. Thank you to Genesis for having me, for putting together this group and so much heart into it. We didn’t look stupid and we have built a good base to work with, and now the machine has started. From now on there is a lot of hard work, there is no rest, there is always the hunt for performance, and you demand more and more. So we have started now and there’s no getting out of it!”

Mathys Jaubert said: “I was quite excited to start this first race with Genesis. Watching André and Dani at the start was a good feeling, with lots of excitement, and then it was my turn. I have to say I am really happy with what I did on track. We had a lot of fights with other manufacturers. This was no issue for us, we took no penalty, nothing, so we have to be happy with this. The team can be proud of how it has started its WEC story I think.”

Pipo Derani said: “We just tried something different with the tires on my stint because we knew there was a lot of potential for a lot of rain so decided to keep the worn tires on the car, try to gain a few seconds, anticipating that we would anyway have to come in for rain tires. But the rain never came! Nevertheless, I am so proud of our achievements today, we have come such a long way to be here, we arrived with the intent of finishing the race and here we are with two cars at the checkered flag. We’ve learned so much during the week and I can only be proud of the massive job we have done. This is Day Zero and we should be proud of how we have started. I want to say a big thank you to the whole team, particularly to Cyril for putting so much trust in me so early on and for the whole Genesis group to have taken this leap into the unknown and here we are finishing our first race with a very competitive car and great things to look forward to.”

Driver Quotes - #19 GMR-001 Hypercar

Dani Juncadella said: “A lot of positives to take from the week. We’ve been seriously competitive considering it’s been our first weekend. We started with a faultless Prologue test and ended with our sister car in the top 10 with two hours to go. Both cars made it to the finish. It is all really encouraging because we are here to compete, we’re here to race, so we can take a lot of encouragement from our performance and the fact that there really were no issues at all until the sensor on my car cost us time. But although it was an interruption it doesn’t take anything away from this positive first week for the team, or how we look ahead to the rest of the season from here. Now we go to Spa, one of my favorite tracks, so we will see how much we can learn from today and carry that with us.”

Mathieu Jaminet said: “Getting two cars to the finish is the biggest goal for this week achieved. I feel bad for the guys who have prepared the #19 car because they have been faultless, they have done a mega job, and the issue that we had with the sensor does not represent them or how we have been running all week. We have been running without any issues all week, so it’s a bit disappointing, but it shouldn’t bring anyone down. We have seen our sister car prove that it can run in the top 10, I think our pace in the race improved again, the setup changes and things we have tried are all working. We are definitely in the mix, we have a very strong base and a lot of data to analyze and I’m really looking forward to the next races because I’m sure you’re going to see Genesis more and more to the front. I think Imola is more of an old school track. Spa will probably give us some more answers before we go to the big one in France but then later in the year, I think we will have learned a lot from here this week.”

Paul-Loup Chatin said: “We have to be proud tonight. We brought the car back in one piece and we learned a lot. We have done such a lot of mileage and without a doubt the pace is there in the car. I am incredibly impressed by the team, with all of the work they have done. Now we need to work super hard, we need to focus on process, because the Hypercar class is incredibly competitive and the gaps between the cars are so close. We know now that the base is there, that the car is good, that the team is good and step-by-step we will work towards our goals.”

2026 6 Hours of Imola Results – Hypercar class

2026 FIA World Endurance Championship standings – Hypercar class

LE CASTELLET, France, April 13, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing will work with leading “luxury performance” footwear brand APL for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season, the company becoming the team’s Official Luxury Footwear Partner for their debut WEC season.

Award-Winning Designs Support Team’s Work 

APL, or Athletic Propulsion Labs, will supply the footwear worn by Genesis Magma Racing team members throughout the 2026 FIA WEC season, giving the company an active presence in the paddock. In turn, the team will be able to rely on the high-performance designs produced by APL during the long days of work required to compete in the highest echelons of world motorsport.

“In a series as closely contested as the FIA WEC, anywhere you can gain an advantage is key,” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Manager Anouck Abadie. “Partnering with APL brings multiple benefits. Obviously, it brings Genesis Magma Racing together with a strong lifestyle brand, but it also gives us the benefit of using high-quality products in the everyday activities of the team to make sure the team can work to the highest possible level.”

Los Angeles-based APL is renowned for its consistent ability to produce award-winning designs in multiple categories. The company’s ranges of training, running and basketball shoes have gathered multiple accolades, including prizes from leading lifestyle publications and brands praising APL’s men’s and women’s designs.

Brand-new designs featuring the Genesis Magma Racing colors will join APL’s range as part of the partnership, combining the manufacturer’s premium image with APL’s unrivalled position spanning fashion and sport.

Two Partners at the Intersection

The partnership brings together two brands who represent the intersection of luxury and performance in their respective markets and brings together Genesis’ “Athletic Elegance” philosophy with APL’s Athletic Propulsion ethos.

For Genesis, the introduction of the GV60 Magma, the first Magma model in the manufacturer’s road car range, marks an important step. Having established itself among the leading premium car brands, the addition of Magma models – and the foundation of Genesis Magma Racing – adds a muscular, high-performance edge to the brand’s image.

“APL is a challenger brand that has always pushed the limits of what’s possible,” said APL Co-Founders Adam and Ryan Goldston. “Footwear is the foundation of every step towards victory, and with Genesis Magma entering the World Endurance Championship and their focus on disrupting a competitive field, we felt this was the perfect opportunity for our two brands to partner and build something special. The demands of endurance racing will serve as a testing ground for advanced materials and technologies that push our products even further. APL is the footwear of choice for many world champions and those competing for one.”

APL is a pioneer of the luxury performance segment of athletic footwear in its collections for men and women. Combining the company’s world-class patented technologies with unique, innovative designs has allowed APL to count itself among the world leaders in athletic footwear. Its unique position at the crossover point is proven perfectly by the induction of APL’s founders, identical twins Adam and Ryan Goldston, into the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) – a first for an athletic brand.

BARCELONA, Spain, April 12, 2026 — The Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program lineup of Jamie Chadwick, Laurents Hörr and Valerio Rinicella started their 2026 European Le Mans Series season with a strong fourth place at the 4 Hours of Barcelona.

Driving Trio Avoid Issues on Debut Together

Reprising her role from the 2025 event, Chadwick drove the first stint of the four-hour race, starting the IDEC Sport-run #18 ORECA 07 from the fourth place secured by Hörr during Saturday’s Qualifying session, when he delivered two strong laps in his second run under pressure after having his first flying lap deleted due to track limits.

Though she lost some spots on the initial start, she had made all the ground back through a combination of strategy, on-track overtakes and avoiding the issues that afflicted several other teams in the opening stint, putting her year’s worth of LMP2 experience to excellent use. Hörr took over the car, continuing to push for a podium, climbing as high as third place as he had to negotiate multiple Virtual Safety Car or Full Course Yellow interruptions. In contrast, during Rinicella’s stint – taking the car for the final hour to the checkered flag – the pace amongst the leaders was relentless.

Despite taking on new tires to begin his stint and left-side tires at his final stop with 22 minutes remaining, he was unable to follow his rivals through the congestion of slower traffic to maintain the push for the podium. However, he was able to avoid contact and problems, an accomplishment that showed its value on the final lap when he took fourth position from another driver limping to the line with a damaged car.

The weekend also brought together all five drivers included in the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program for the first time. The trio of LMP2 drivers were joined by Koreans Michael Shin and Kyuho Lee, who compete in the FIA Formula 3 Championship and GB3 Championship, respectively. The two single-seater drivers were able to experience qualifying and the race inside the IDEC Sport garage, immersing themselves in the event.

Post-Race Quotes - #18 IDEC Sport ORECA 07

Jamie Chadwick said: “The start of the race was a little bit tricky, but then I managed to claw back a couple of positions. I think the stint was OK; we double stinted the tires, which seemed to work quite well when the Virtual Safety Car came out. It was a little bit tricky, but we were in the fight, which was the main thing. We had positive progression throughout the weekend. I think we would have taken P4 at the beginning of the week, to be honest. With how we were running in that race, you always want more, but still, we can be really positive. The team did a great job. No mistakes, no errors and same for my teammates and I think it’s a really good foundation for the rest of the year. We need to keep working and targeting the top five. Le Castellet is a home race for the team. I think we can go well there, so aim for another top five there and hopefully we can go one higher to get onto the podium – let’s see.”

Laurents Hörr said: “It was a long stint. It was not easy because we all had fresh tires and everybody was really pushing the whole time. I was really happy with the first stint, and in the second stint everybody was pushing a little bit more and I just didn’t have the grip of the first set of tires anymore. It’s certainly a bit different in the main LMP2 class after coming from Pro-Am lineups for many years. In the pro ranks, you can just push a lot harder together with your teammates, and you can push with the car setup more, which was very pleasant for me. Overall, we have a great team ambience inside the Trajectory Program, but also with the IDEC Sport team, and its great fun, and finishing fourth is a great start to the season, with much more to come.”

Valerio Rinicella said: “It was a hard stint for me, with only two tires on the left, which were a bit hard to warm up. I think I lost a little bit of time to other guys [because of this]. The pace was OK, but not enough for P1, so I just tried to do my best. We fought for the podium until the end, but it’s endurance racing, so it was hard for me to manage everything as this is the first race for me. I think with the traffic, sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you get unlucky. It’s just about position, and maybe half a second can cost you two positions, or maybe you can gain two positions in just five tenths. It’s a lot about managing risk, being lucky and being in a good position. I have five races to go so I have time to work on it. In single seaters, you don’t have this issue, you just push and you try to overtake the car in front. Here there are a lot of things to do, managing and following a target lap time, fuel and traffic as well.”

Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini said: “For the new season, the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program has a tighter focus on driver development, but in the European Le Mans Series our goals remain the same. We are not targeting race wins but want to give the drivers the opportunity to gain experience, with the potential for them to join the Genesis Magma Racing lineup. For Jamie, Laurents and Valerio to begin 2026 with a top-five finish is very encouraging. It was their first race together with the IDEC Sport team, Laurents first in the Pro class and Valerio’s first in the championship, with so many new challenges to face. Each driver gave a good individual performance, with the consistency that is essential in endurance racing, and can take away important lessons for their next race in the championship.”

IMOLA, Italy, April 10, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing will make its debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at the 6 Hours of Imola less than 500 days after publicly announcing their intent to enter the series. Though the team is satisfied with the progress made during testing, the event at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari represents a new step, joining the established teams and manufacturers of the grid on track for the first time.

Race Debut Builds on Foundations Laid During Testing

The team’s main focus is on building on the foundations laid during the 25,000 kilometers of track testing completed by the team with the car since August 2025. Recognizing the scale of the challenge of joining the highly competitive championship, Genesis Magma Racing places a two-car finish high on its list of goals for the race while focusing on managing aspects of race weekend operation that lie fully within its control.

The change to the WEC calendar gave Genesis Magma Racing an extra three weeks to prepare for its first event at the highest level of endurance racing. The team’s engineers took full advantage of the opportunity as they have done throughout the testing and development of the GMR-001 Hypercar.

Final preparations for the race debut included a day of testing at the Imola circuit – something that was planned prior to the calendar alterations. As well as giving the team an opportunity to simulate race runs on a WEC race track, the running with two cars provided the drivers with a chance to establish a base setup for the car, which they can work from during the Prologue test and Free Practice sessions.

This is especially important for the technical demands of the Imola circuit, including a need to ride bumps and curbs well to make the most of the power from the GMR-001 Hypercar’s G8MR 3.2l Turbo V8 engine.

Both of the team’s entries will be shared by three drivers – Pipo Derani, Mathys Jaubert and André Lotterer sharing the “liquid metal” liveried #17; and Paul-Loup Chatin, Mathieu Jaminet and Dani Juncadella in the predominantly black #19 GMR-001 Hypercar.

Genesis Magma Racing Team Management Quotes

Cyril Abiteboul, Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal said: “The FIA World Endurance Championship weekend at Imola is a huge moment for Genesis Magma Racing and Genesis as a manufacturer. I am very proud of the work we have done as a team to reach this occasion, and I am personally very proud of the faith placed in us by our Chair, Vice Chair and Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke to take Genesis racing. As a new entrant, we know that we are not in a position to pursue performance at the start of the season. Instead, our focus will be on things we can control in our reliability and operations, making sure we can do the small things right first, before we can expect performance and race results. A successful weekend in Imola will be if we get both our GMR-001 Hypercars to the finish with minimal technical problems or penalties and the entire team working well together. Once the race starts, I’ll be nervously waiting for the checkered flag — certainly not for the last time with Genesis Magma Racing.”

Gabriele Tarquini, Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director said: “Imola is not just a race weekend for Genesis Magma Racing, but our first ever race. It’s a very important moment in our history. The entire team is excited to start, and once we begin, I’m sure we will find even more motivation for the season. Even after a long time for testing – even if any time spent testing is never enough – we really miss the stress and adrenaline of real competition. Our goal for the first race is to put both GMR-001 Hypercar on the grid with no mistakes, and to finish the race with both cars. This is the first step for us to climb, and I want to see how our drivers, who worked together very well during testing, will perform in a race situation. We know that our competitors are very strong and very experienced, but I am sure we have everything we need to start fighting with them very soon.” 

Justin Taylor, Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer said: “Imola is a unique circuit, not only because of its history but also some of its characteristics, namely the curbs and bumps. To be fast in Imola means using the curbs and absorbing the bumps, which means a compromise on the aerodynamics. We gained invaluable experience at the track during a test in February and will be building on that foundation during the official Prologue, focusing on adapting the GMR-001 Hypercar to the challenges of a full WEC event with other Hypercar and LMGT3 traffic, something impossible to test otherwise. There’s a mix of feelings about finally going racing after an intense development. Obviously, anxiety coming from the uncertainty of how the car will perform when compared to the rest of the field. At the same time, we have great excitement to cross a significant milestone to where lap times and results matter.”

Driver Quotes - #17 GMR-001 Hypercar

Pipo Derani said: “The additional month before the start of the season was definitely helpful for us. On the other hand, we would have preferred to race in Qatar as it would have provided an extra 10-hour race before Le Mans. Imola is one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar, making it a significant test for us as a team for our first race. If we perform well at Imola, it should boost confidence for the next rounds. I believe our first target is to finish without any major issues. I'm not setting any expectations. I want us to focus on doing well with the things we can control. If we succeed in that, we might end up with a positive outcome. From a personal perspective, my goal is to accomplish small wins each day and review the weekend with the sense that we worked effectively as a team. There will be moments we might consider as underperformance but recognizing those areas will be important for our development.”

Mathys Jaubert said: “The test we completed at Imola gives us a strong foundation heading into the race weekend. It allowed us to define key elements such as the gearbox ratios, work on setup, and for us drivers to get comfortable with the track, but without traffic. The Prologue will be especially valuable, particularly for me as a rookie, to adapt to traffic management with the GT3 cars. It will also give us our first real benchmark against the other teams and help us understand our strengths and areas to improve, giving our first true indicator of where we stand. The priority will be to stay consistent, avoid mistakes, and not pick up any penalties. It will also be important to identify any weaknesses in the car so we can improve for the upcoming races and build a strong foundation for the season. On my side, the focus will be on delivering a clean and consistent race, avoiding errors, and staying in the right rhythm throughout my stints. Being on the pace is key, and I’m confident we will be there.”

André Lotterer said: “Imola is one of the tightest tracks on the FIA World Endurance Championship calendar. It is very demanding in terms of traffic management and quite busy for the drivers. The baseline setup we have for the GMR-001 Hypercar is quite good, but you need a very particular setup for Imola. It is one of the bumpiest tracks we visit and requires a car that is nimble and able to go on the curbs and absorb the bumps. As a driver, you always try to maximize what you have, but in this case we don’t know what we have compared to the competition, so it will be a revelation to see where we are. We don’t have crazy expectations. We want to finish the race and gain as much experience as possible. We’ll focus on ourselves and our solutions and learn as much as we can so we can continue to build the team and leave Imola stronger. We’ll see our weaknesses, but the more we see them, the clearer our solutions will be, so we can address them quickly.”

Driver Quotes - #19 GMR-001 Hypercar

Paul-Loup Chatin said: “I’m very pleased to see the 2026 season finally getting underway. It represents the start of a new personal challenge for me, but also a significant milestone for everyone at Genesis Magma Racing. Since the team was announced in December 2024, the entire team has worked relentlessly and made the most of every second. I’m extremely proud of what they have achieved in such a short space of time. Imola marks the first step of this new chapter. The circuit increases the level of difficulty due to its characteristics, particularly the bumps and aggressive curbs, which require specific qualities from the car. It’s a real challenge that will teach us a lot for the rest of the program. Our primary goal will be to focus on ourselves and execute a clean race from start to finish. We are not facing a single mountain, but an entire mountain range. It will be essential to remain humble and united throughout this journey if we want to reach our objectives.”

Mathieu Jaminet said: “I’m super excited to finally go racing. It’s been a while since I had the chance to race against someone, and I think it’s the same for my teammates. I’m looking forward to starting the season, the competition and seeing where we are. Starting Imola after Qatar was postponed could be seen as a good and bad thing for us. It would have been interesting to see where we were compared to the competition already in Qatar, but it gave us more time to prepare, which we took full advantage of. For me, Imola is one of the highlights of the calendar. It’s a very old-school track. It’s fast, really demanding for the car, so I’m looking forward to driving there and seeing how close – or far – we are from the top runners. The main target is to finish the race with no technical issues, no penalties and we can build from there. Get some mileage, learn more about the car, and get the team working together.” 

Dani Juncadella said: “Starting the season in Imola is quite a challenge as a driver, and for the whole Genesis Magma Racing team. It’s a very challenging track, very technical as a driver and very narrow, so it’s going to be fascinating managing the GT traffic, which will be a first for me. We got the chance to test at the circuit and make a few laps, which gave us a bit of a head start to know what’s coming. To be fair the aim for the weekend is go step by step, day by day with the Prologue test, practice, qualifying and race. For me, it’s my debut in Hypercar, so I’m massively excited, but I’m not expecting much in terms of results, but it’s not our main focus. There’s a lot of things we need to work on before focusing on pure results. I’m very excited to start the journey with my two teammates in the #19 GMR-001 Hypercar. Imola is a great place to kick-start the season. It’s going to be hectic, and let’s see if the weather also plays a role. There’s going to be a lot happening.”

LE CASTELLET, France, April 2, 2026 — As Genesis Magma Racing and the GMR-001 Hypercar prepare to join the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) grid at the 6 Hours of Imola later this month, the virtual version of the team’s first car has already been added to the lineup on Le Mans Ultimate.

Team’s Engineers Work Closely with Game Developers

The addition of the GMR-001 Hypercar, which is available now for free to all players, comes after a close cooperation between Genesis Magma Racing and Motorsport Games, the developers of Le Mans Ultimate, the Official Game of the FIA World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The two groups worked hand-in-hand to model the car directly from Genesis’ own renderings of the design. Engineers have also provided data and feedback on the suspension settings, aerodynamic balance and gearing of the GMR-001 Hypercar to create a realistic handling model for the car’s launch – which comes before the car’s competitive debut, an impressive first for Le Mans Ultimate and a major accomplishment in any racing simulation.

In game, the GMR-001 Hypercar carries the #17 and “liquid-metal” based livery first revealed on March 31. The livery carries the same traditional Korean hangeul lettering for “Magma” – “마그마” – that will be seen on the real cars. The sound of the car’s G8MR 3.2l Turbo V8 engine completes the package, created with recordings of the motor from some of Genesis Magma Racing’s latest development tests.

The GMR-001 Hypercar is the headline of Motorsport Games’ V1.3 Update for the game, which also features the addition of ELMS content, including the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as part of DLC, as well as a number of smaller additions and fixes. The Update also introduces a Korean translation of the game, supporting Genesis Magma Racing’s position as the first South Korean manufacturer to enter the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Chance to Win Workshop Visit in GMR Sim to Sim Contest

To mark the arrival of the GMR-001 Hypercar in game, and the collaboration between Genesis Magma Racing and Motorsport Games, the car will be the focus in the “GMR Sim to Sim” competition – Silver Daily Races taking place in Le Mans Ultimate online March 31-April 7.

In the races, Le Mans Ultimate players will take the GMR-001 Hypercar to the fearsome Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Faced with the kind of changing track conditions the Ardennes venue is notorious for, as well as specially created challenging fuel usage and tire wear parameters, players will compete not only for victory in their 45-minute race, but for the fastest lap of all drivers worldwide competing across all splits over the full week.

The fastest five (age 18+) will win an all-expenses-paid visit to Genesis Magma Racing’s workshop at Le Castellet, France, to see where the team prepares the cars for the WEC season and will also experience a session in the team’s F1-bred Dynisma simulator.

Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001 Hypercar driver Dani Juncadella said: “I’ve been part of Team Red Line and Verstappen Sim Racing for the last five years, and I know some of our Pros are involved in Le Mans Ultimate, so it’s clearly a great platform that is only going to keep growing. It’s already been extremely popular with sim racers and teams, and to have the GMR-001 Hypercar included in the game before our first race is very exciting, and I’m very happy to be part of the event to celebrate the introduction of the car to the game. Our engineers have worked closely with the developers to create the in-game model, and I’m looking forward to trying it out.”

Juncadella will provide coaching to the winning drivers during their time in Genesis Magma Racing’s simulator. “With a session in our simulator, the top drivers will get a chance to see what it is like to work with a real-world, professional Hypercar team,” he said. “The top sim racers are so talented and dedicated, driving every day and putting so much effort into their own rigs. So, the fact that they will get to experience our sim will be a great moment for them, and a great opportunity because, I believe, something like that can open chances for the future.”

For full terms and details of the GMR Sim to Sim contest, please see here: https://lemansultimate.com/competition-time-gmr-sim-to-sim-challenge/

LE CASTELLET, France, March 31, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing has unveiled the GMR-001 Hypercar that will represent the manufacturer in its first season of motorsport, competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship. The car is the product of a tightly packed schedule of design, building and development.

Design Shows Close Connection Between Road and Race Cars

The GMR-001 Hypercar is proudly “Designed by Genesis” – a statement carried on the front bodywork of the car. The design – the result of cooperation between Genesis’ own design center and chassis partner ORECA – takes Genesis’ commitment to Athletic Elegance in its designs to the extremes permitted by designing a high-performance race car for the highest tiers of motorsport. The aerodynamic requirements provoke long, simple flowing lines interrupted only where necessary, emphasizing the Genesis brand’s luxury credentials.

Most noticeably, the GMR-001 Hypercar features Two-Line headlamps similar to those found on Genesis road cars. These were specially designed for the race car – a risk given the importance of good lighting in WEC competition. Happily, the design of the lights, and their performance, were quickly validated during the first endurance test of the car, which took drivers through the night at the Circuit Internacional do Algarve in Portugal in September.

The connection between road and race cars is underlined as the GMR-001 Hypercar carries the Genesis wing logo prominently on the center of the nose – truly representing the manufacturer on track.

Team Hit Development Schedule on Tight Deadlines

Despite the tight time frame dictated by a 2026 debut, Genesis Magma Racing has reached every milestone on schedule. The first Genesis G8MR 3.2l Turbo V8, based on Hyundai Motorsport’s in-line 4-cylinder engine from the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), was fired up in February 2025, exactly as planned.

While testing of the first power plants was underway, adding further powertrain components as the work progressed, the first GMR-001 Hypercar chassis were built to the LMDh technical regulations by chassis partners ORECA, close to Genesis Magma Racing’s own base at Le Castellet. Chassis and powertrain were united for the first time in August 2025, and testing began later that month.

“From the start we wanted to be working with the best partners and resources we could,” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “Working with ORECA and the experience they have was a natural choice, while using the base Hyundai Motorsport’s WRC engine gave us strong, proven high-performance engine. These choices were very important in the early development to help us meet the deadlines we had set ourselves.”

Early Reliability Targets Passed During Testing

The first running specifically took place at Circuit Paul Ricard to allow ORECA technicians and Genesis Magma Racing’s own engineers to quickly find solutions to any issues that arose during the first runs. Over the course of track testing the GMR-001 Hypercar completed nearly 25,000 kilometers on circuits representative of those on the WEC calendar, with one engine completing nearly 9,000 kilometers – a vital target.

“We set some high mileage targets for various components and we achieved most of them, but more importantly, the mileage has been productive,” said Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer Justin Taylor. “As well as endurance, we also focused on making sure we could run consistently to our full potential within the WEC technical regulations.”

Good progress on those targets during early testing allowed the team to increasingly hone the performance of the car, including simulating the demands of WEC events and runs in different conditions, including on a wet Magny-Cours circuit in October.  

“Our first target this season is to finish races,” Taylor looks ahead to the start of the 2026 season. “No problems. No penalties. Then we can start to look to move forward in the Hypercar class, step-by-step, Hyperpole appearances, achieving finishes on the lead lap, challenging for top fives on pace.”

Livery Brings Korean Identity to the Track

The two GMR-001 Hypercars that will take to the track for the start of the FIA World Endurance Championship season will proudly carry the Korean flag, announcing Genesis as the first Korean manufacturer to enter the series. As well as the national flag, the car livery also features the traditional Korean hangeul lettering for “Magma” – “마그마.” The characters are central to Genesis Magma Racing’s identity, with its consonants “ㅁ,” “ㄱ,” and “ㅁ” inspiring the geometric Genesis Magma Racing logo that will be carried in the team’s signature Magma color on the engine cover of both GMR-001 Hypercars.

Hyundai Motor Group President and Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke said: “The design work started during the very first test at Paul Ricard circuit in August where we had a full naked carbon fiber car as canvas. While applying our design philosophy principle Athletic Elegance to the livery, we focused on respecting the shapes of the GMR-001 Hypercar and its details such as the Two-Line headlamps and the parabolic line in the body. As a Korean manufacturer, we also wanted to honor our roots and heritage by utilizing the word ‘Magma’ written in hangeul, the Korean alphabet. Throughout the design evolution, this element became a strong graphic identifier that we decided to use not only for the GMR-001 Hypercar but also for our garage, structures and team uniforms.”

LE CASTELLET, France, March 30, 2026 — For the team’s debut season in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), Genesis Magma Racing have assembled a driver lineup that combines championship winning experience, development expertise and the ambition of youth. However, all involved recognize the scale of the challenge ahead of the team.

Driver Lineups Balance Experience and Ambition

Though satisfied with the outcomes of the on-track testing and development, the team is aware that the proof of the progress made will only come with the first competitive sessions of the 2026 season. The efforts of Genesis as a manufacturer and work the team has completed have secured a place on the grid of the 6 Hours of Imola. However, on track, Genesis Magma Racing have to earn the right to truly compete with the more experienced teams and manufacturers it wishes to count among its rivals.

“We have focused on the things we can control,” said Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini. “In engineering, that’s the reliability and performance of the car, in team management, it’s the processes and for me, it’s the driver lineups.”

He explained: “Each of our drivers brings something different, and that’s exactly what makes a strong endurance lineup. We have drivers whose extensive Hypercar experience has been extremely valuable in developing the car, and others who, with the enthusiasm of rookies, will help us overcome the difficulties we will certainly face during our first season. But beyond individual strengths, what really matters is how they work together. Endurance racing is about trust, communication and shared responsibility for the result.”

The relationship between the drivers has been critical in assembling the three-driver lineups for each of the team’s GMR-001 Hypercars. Most notably, when named as the team’s first two drivers in December 2024, André Lotterer and Pipo Derani were expected to drive different cars in competition. However, as the team saw how well they worked together during the earliest stages of testing, it became clear that the strongest option for the team was to pair the two in the #17 GMR-001 Hypercars, where their combined experience is complimented by Hypercar debutant and Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program graduate Mathys Jaubert.

The #19 sister car will be shared by Daniel Juncadella, who drove alongside Jaubert in the European Le Mans Series last year, Mathieu Jaminet and Paul-Loup Chatin. All three start new challenges in their careers with Genesis Magma Racing, aiming to add to successes including IMSA titles — Jaminet —  GT racing success —  Juncadella —  and a FIA WEC race win in a car built around the same ORECA spine as the GMR-001 Hypercar —  Chatin at the 2025 6 Hours of Fuji.

Driver Quotes and Profiles - #17 GMR-001 Hypercar

Luis Felipe ‘Pipo’ Derani

Place of Birth: São Paulo, Brazil
Date of Birth: Oct. 12, 1993
FIA Driver Grading: Platinum

Career Highlights:

Pipo Derani said: “Our first goal for the season has to be for us to become a proper team. There are so many great people in the team. What we’ve already done is a massive achievement, like climbing Mount Everest, only higher, and now we get to live what one-and-a-half-years ago was a dream. Now we have to polish everything – have the pitstops done right, people knowing exactly what they need to do. The reality is we need to create small targets for ourselves. For the first race we can hopefully make as few mistakes as possible and finish the race, the second race finish a little better, results-wise, and slowly push the targets further and further towards the front. The mentality I’m taking into the season is to tick those boxes bit by bit. I think if we do that, we will eventually be surprised with where we can get.”

Mathys Jaubert

Place of Birth: Salon-de-Provence, France
Date of Birth: March 3, 2005
FIA Driver Grading: Silver

Career Highlights:

Mathys Jaubert said: “For me, honestly, my first target is to make a good year, as I did in 2025 in the European Le Mans Series. If I can go without mistakes, with good performance in all my stints, then I will be proud of what I have done at the end of the year. This is my main target, and the most important thing for the team. I think a good aim for us is finishing in the top five in one race; this – for the first year of the team, that would be very strong. For me, personally, my ambition is to be the best rookie in the WEC. That’s always the first aim to be best of the group like you. But, for that you need to have good teammates, a good car and a good team around you.”

André Lotterer

Place of Birth: Duisburg, Germany
Date of Birth: Nov. 19, 1981
FIA Driver Grading: Platinum

Career Highlights:

André Lotterer said: “For most of us who have been in the sport a long time, the ultimate goal is to win and until then you’re not too happy. The dynamic is obviously different when you join as a new manufacturer against teams that have been racing for years. So, you have a humble approach. It would be amazing to finish our first race without problems and issues and accumulate maximum experience, would be a very great achievement. But as we know, and as all ambitious people in motorsport, we are very competitive. So, for sure, we will do our best to be as competitive as possible. The car has run without problems in testing and life has been pretty good. But in the racing scenario, it can be different. We will definitely face things that we try to simulate, try to expect, but they will come. And let's see how we can manage them and tackle them. And that is how we will be challenged.”

Paul-Loup Chatin

Place of Birth: Dourdan, France
Date of Birth: Oct. 19, 1991
FIA Driver Grading: Gold

Career Highlights:

Paul-Loup Chatin said: “I’m really looking forward to being part of the Genesis brand, building the reputation of the brand in Europe. That’s part of the goal for Genesis Magma Racing, and if we are good on track then that will be good for the brand. It will be super cool to see the benefit of what we do on track in the wider market. As a race team, we want to progress during the season. What I don’t want to see is a decent first race and a decent last race. I’d actually prefer to have a difficult race in Imola and then a good Bahrain weekend at the end of the year. I don't know where we’ll start compared to the other teams. We'll know soon, but at the moment I still don’t know where we are exactly in terms of performance. We dream about it, but it would not be realistic to say we’ll arrive, and we’ll be straight away fast and reliable.”

Mathieu Jaminet

Place of Birth: Hayange, France
Date of Birth: Oct. 24, 1994
FIA Driver Grading: Platinum

Career Highlights:

Mathieu Jaminet said: “The GMR-001 Hypercar is very different from the Porsche I’ve driven before. It’s quite surprising, knowing how tight the LMDh regulations are, that two cars can feel so different, but at the end of the day they all make more or less the same lap time, even if it’s in different ways. There are definitely some strengths in the GMR-001 Hypercar, even though we are still very early in the Genesis Magma Racing project. On the other hand, there are some weaker points, and this is where I try to bring my experience to the engineers, having developed a previous car before and raced it for a couple of years, to work to create a winning racecar. I think a realistic target is progression - that the car gets more reliable over the year, that we start to gain performance and slowly catch up to the front and really see progression from race one to race number eight.”

Dani Juncadella

Place of Birth: Barcelona, Spain
Date of Birth: May 7, 1991
FIA Driver Grading: Platinum

Career Highlights:

Dani Juncadella said: “There’s many different things playing into a result that we, or at least me as a driver, cannot control. We need to focus on what we control and that’s why we’ve worked during testing on being better every day on the aspects that can just gain you performance, whether it is reliability, drivability or lap time. It could be, at the end of the season, we look back and, even if we haven’t scored a good result, we could probably say, ‘OK, here we had a chance and something happened.’ But if you give yourself opportunities to score big results, that’s already something you can be proud of. If we’re in a position to fight for a strong result already in our first year, I think that’s something we can be satisfied with.”

LE CASTELLET, France, March 27, 2026 — When Genesis Magma Racing was announced in Dubai in December 2024, it marked the first public steps in a huge task. With only 499 days between the announcement and the first race of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), it was not just a car and an engine that needed to be built, but a whole team.

“No Alternative” to Entering WEC as a Full Manufacturer Team

The scale of the challenge was made even greater by the decision that Genesis would enter the WEC paddock as an in-house manufacturer team, rather than partner with an existing outfit. “Given the long-term objectives, there was absolutely no alternative,” explained Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “It was mandatory for us to do everything ourselves, instead of giving responsibility to a partner team, which would have been the easier thing to do.”

He continued: “This is the start of a long-term project for Genesis Magma Racing, and we wanted to start with our own soul, skill and people. Genesis also wants to understand motorsport as a manufacturer and bring that high-performance culture to the company. The only way to do this is to remove the firewall between the race team and the brand and take full control ourselves.”

What has been built is a team of 75 people representing 16 different nationalities. They are split between Genesis Magma Racing’s race base at Le Castellet in France, Hyundai Motorsport’s Headquarters in Offenbach, Germany, and the company’s nearby Technical Centre in Fechenheim, where the Genesis G8MR 3.2l Turbo V8 at the heart of the GMR-001 Hypercar is built. For the eight rounds of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship, starting with next month’s 6 Hours of Imola, they will join together in the paddock for Genesis Magma Racing’s debut season.

Team Assembled from Scratch Without Compromise

Within the team are specialists with a range of backgrounds representing not only endurance racing but across the motorsport spectrum, including 15 team members from Hyundai Motorsport, who moved to Genesis Magma Racing as part of the Trajectory Program. The assembled team brings a range of experience and approaches to an organization started from a blank sheet of paper.

Genesis Magma Racing Team Manager Anouck Abadie said: “Starting from a white page does have advantages. We could do what we thought was best for the team’s structure, without having to follow anything that had gone before. We were only focused on what we thought would work best. For the people too, we had everyone starting new, so we could put the right people in the right roles without any compromises or politics.”

The team structure was tested alongside the GMR-001 Hypercar through the second half of 2025. This culminated in the December test at Barcelona where 80% of the on-event team was present, validating Genesis Magma Racing’s operational plans for the 2026 season.

Setting up an entirely new facility, Genesis Magma Racing was also able to avoid compromise on the location for the race base. Specifically choosing a location close to both chassis partner ORECA and Circuit Paul Ricard, where the GMR-001 Hypercar completed its first tests, the team is run from a 2,900-square-meter workshop where the race cars will be prepared between races.

Genesis Magma Racing Operations Director Sebastien Metz said: “At the Genesis Magma Racing race base we have all the key departments and requirements of the team in one place. We have a dedicated area for the mechanics’ pitstop practice, and a space for remote engineering operations during each race weekend. It was important for us to have as much capability as we could within the team and workshop, and we have a perfect opportunity to do that.”

Team Clothing Design Features “Distinctly Korean” Hallmarks

Genesis Magma Racing team members will be instantly recognizable in the paddock, sporting team clothing featuring the signature combination of black and Magma Orange. Supplied by the team’s Official Team Apparel Partner, Kappa, the kit features the now-familiar geometric Genesis Magma Racing logo, with the traditional Korean hangeul writing that inspires it included as a subtle tone-on-tone repeating design as the team remains true to its “distinctly Korean” philosophy.

The combination of colors holds strong meaning – the black representing the humble attitude and the brighter shade symbolic of the self-confidence and passion of Korean culture – as the team prepares to be the first manufacturer in the championship from the country.

LE CASTELLET, France, March 27, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing has partnered with iconic brand Kappa® for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season as the team’s Official Apparel Partner to provide the squad’s official clothing. 

Clothing Design Shows Korean Identity 

Genesis Magma Racing’s team members will be instantly recognizable in the paddock, starting with the season-opening 6 Hours of Imola. The official clothing features a signature combination of black and Magma orange and includes the now-familiar geometric team logo, with the traditional Korean hangeul writing that inspires it incorporated as a subtle, tone-on-tone repeating design that remains true to Genesis Magma Racing’s “distinctly Korean” philosophy. 

The combination of colors holds strong meaning – black representing the humble attitude and the brighter shade symbolizing the self-confidence and passion of Korean culture – as the team prepares to be the first manufacturer in the championship from the country. 

“The Korean roots of Genesis Magma Racing are very important to us as a team,” said Hyundai Motor Group President & Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke. “Genesis is the first Korean manufacturer to compete in the WEC, and we want to be seen as ambassadors for motorsport in Korea. To accomplish this, we have to properly represent the country and the culture wherever we can. By including hangeul as a key part of our identity – on our clothing, on the GMR-001 Hypercar and in our spaces, we reinforce Korea as a key part of the team’s identity on the world stage.” 

Kappa® will provide a full range of teamwear, including options suiting the diverse roles within the team, from mechanics and technical staff to key management and behind-the-scenes support staff. The choice of clothing also accounts for the many different conditions the team can expect to face through the season, ensuring that each member of the team remains comfortable, able to complete their jobs to their full potential no matter the environment. 

New Partners Combine Performance, Style and Unity 

The unique design of the team’s clothing is supported by the quality guaranteed by working with Kappa®. The brand, founded in 1978, combines performance and style, innovation and bold design, a philosophy it shares with Genesis. 

Through its history, Kappa® have expanded from sportswear into streetwear and urban fashion. From this foundation, it has made its mark in a range of arenas, from high fashion through partnership with design houses to sports, with collaborations with leading teams, and lifestyle, where the brand can be found at music festivals. 

Julien Ropus, Country Manager for Kappa®, said: “We are particularly pleased, at Kappa®, to partner with Genesis Magma Racing for their first season in the FIA World Endurance Championship. This partnership fully embodies our vision: supporting teams competing at the highest level by providing solutions that combine performance, technical expertise and a strong identity. Kappa® has long maintained a close connection with motorsport, a history that notably dates back to our presence in Formula 1 and which continues actively today in MotoGP alongside leading teams such as VR46, Pramac and Trackhouse.” 

He added: “We are also present at the most prestigious endurance events, notably as the official outfitter of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as alongside a French team competing in the WEC, illustrating our ability to support paddock stakeholders in highly demanding environments. Through Genesis Magma Racing, we continue this momentum by leveraging our expertise in service of an ambitious organization, with a constant commitment to supporting teams in their day-to-day demands and performance objectives.” 

As well as its commitment to performance and design, Kappa® also stands for equality and unity, symbolized by its distinctive logo depicting a man and a woman sitting back-to-back. This image of mutual support takes on a special meaning in endurance racing, where co-operation and communication are vital to success, and for Genesis Magma Racing, with several women taking on key sporting and technical roles within the team, including Team Manager Anouck Abadie and Jamie Chadwick, who serves as the team’s Official Reserve Driver for the 2026 WEC season. 

“I believe that our partnering with Kappa® as our Official Apparel Partner for our debut season is the start of a long and successful relationship,” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “Kappa® is a highly respected brand with experience working with some of the biggest teams in motorsport and beyond. The opportunities for collaboration, extending awareness of Genesis Magma Racing beyond a core of motorsport fans, are very exciting starting with the range of branded merchandise available to our fans this year.” 

Genesis Magma Racing’s fans will be able to take advantage of this same pursuit of quality, with the range of team-branded clothing available from the Genesis Magma Racing eShop to show their support of the team, wherever they are. The team’s official eShop also hosts a full range including scale models, accessories, and Genesis Magma Racing-branded items from the squad’s other Official Partners and licensees. 

The Genesis Magma Racing eShop can be found at: shop.genesis-magma-racing.com 

LE CASTELLET, France, March 26, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing has named luxury audio brand Bang & Olufsen as the team’s Official Sound Partner ahead of the team’s debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). 

New Partners Closely Aligned with Design-Led Philosophy 

Bang & Olufsen, the renowned Danish audio brand, has long redefined the art of sound. Merging meticulous craftsmanship with pioneering acoustic technology, it continues to set the standard for immersive listening experiences. 

A century after its founding, Bang & Olufsen brings its design philosophy to life in every detail. By blending sculptural aesthetics with precise engineering, each product conveys presence and emotion, allowing music and voices to resonate with clarity and nuance, as they were meant to be heard. 

This dual philosophy of design and quality closely matches Genesis’ own “Athletic Elegance” approach it applies to all designs. The concept blends dynamic sports car details with sophisticated, clean design to create a distinctly Korean look. 

Though the demands of endurance racing are very different to those encountered by road cars, this was taken to the extremes naturally possible when designing the GMR-001 Hypercar for the FIA WEC season. The aerodynamic requirements provoke long, simple flowing lines interrupted only where necessary, emphasizing the Genesis brand’s luxury credentials. 

“The relationship between Genesis Magma Racing and Bang & Olufsen is much more than a basic sponsorship,” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “We are two brands that are aligned in our identities, combining design and innovation into premium products. Having Bang & Olufsen join us as we enter the FIA World Endurance Championship is the perfect opportunity to showcase these similarities in a most demanding arena.” 

Partnership Delivers Visibility and Audibility in WEC Paddock 

Bang & Olufsen branding will appear prominently on the sides on the pair of GMR-001 Hypercars that will be on track and the overalls and clothing for the drivers and staff of Genesis Magma Racing at each round of the WEC season. 

The partnership will also bring Bang & Olufsen’s celebrated craftsmanship into the WEC paddock and pitlane. In Genesis Magma Racing’s workshop and pit garages, Bang & Olufsen will provide the soundtrack to the team’s preparation for each WEC event. The team will also showcase their partner’s products in the hospitality spaces for both team and VIP guests, helping to bring the unmistakable sounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship and GMR-001 Hypercar to life. 

“Sound is a huge part of motorsport,” said Abiteboul. “The engine notes of the different cars, of course, but also the sound of tires over curbs, the sounds of a pit stop and the vital communications between team and driver. Having Bang & Olufsen technology in our team and hospitality spaces we can bring our fans and guests one step closer to the action on track.” 

"We are proud to be the sound partner for Genesis Magma Racing as they make their debut in the World Endurance Championship", said Duncan McCue, Bang & Olufsen VP Business Development & Strategic Partnerships. "We look forward to bringing our beautiful sound to the team, as well as to the fans who join us in supporting Genesis Magma Racing throughout the season. Through this partnership, we will share the story of our brands, where innovation and quality meet performance and design - on and off the track.” 

LE CASTELLET, France, March 25, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing has named Shell as its Official Performance and Innovation Partner for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), providing the lubricants and coolants required by the GMR-001 Hypercar for its debut season of competition.

New Partnership Builds on Strong Foundations

The agreement continues a decade-long partnership with Hyundai Motorsport centered on the FIA World Rally Championship, with Shell Brands International AG also extending its collaboration to also support Genesis Magma Racing’s entry into the FIA WEC.

“WEC unlocks a thrilling new arena for Shell and Hyundai to keep pushing boundaries and co-engineer lubricants like Shell Helix Ultra,” said Aysun Akik, Vice President of New Business Development and Global Key Accounts, Shell Lubricants. “When races last for six, eight or more hours, scientists and drivers can test innovative new technologies using endurance as the ultimate testbed. Together, we’ll continue to deliver quality solutions to our customers.”

The relationship is reinforced by Shell’s “First Fill” campaign, which focuses on both the on-track partnership and the long-running relationship between Shell and Hyundai Motor Company. Shell’s strategic partnership with Genesis Magma Racing strengthens its platform in the FIA WEC paddock. As well as branding on the GMR-001 Hypercar at each FIA WEC race, Shell and Genesis Magma Racing will work together to create high-profile activations around the season’s races.

Close Partnership Creates Specialized Solutions

The Genesis G8MR 3.2l Turbo V8 that lies at the heart of the GMR-001 was developed from the I4 powerplant that both Hyundai Motorsport’s powertrain department and Shell were familiar with from the WRC. The two parties worked together to develop oils specifically for the V8 engine. Their work took into account the very different demands rallying and endurance racing require of the oils throughout the powertrain, with different lengths and rhythms to the running during each competition and different fuels powering the engine.

Shell’s experts were present at every step of the journey, conducting a detailed analysis of oil samples after each dyno test of the engine and even travelling with the team once testing began to conduct real-time evaluations at the circuit. “The development of the Genesis G8MR 3.2l Turbo V8 engine has been a long process,” said Hyundai Motorsport Technical Director FX Demaison. “Shell has been part of the process since the very beginning. Having them by our side at the dyno and the circuit meant we could efficiently develop the specialized oils we need alongside the engine and powertrain.”

The close cooperation between the Hyundai Motorsport powertrain department and Shell led to the dedicated formulation of 0W-40 engine oil for the GMR-001 Hypercar. The product combines Shell’s PurePlus technology with bespoke components to deliver protection, durability and performance in the high-stress environment of long-distance racing.

Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul said: “Shell and Hyundai Motorsport partners have enjoyed a successful partnership for more than ten years, so to be able to expand that to Genesis Magma Racing is great news. There is so much that is new for us as a team and manufacturer in the FIA World Endurance Championship, but working with Shell provides important continuity and hopefully will bring the same success we have enjoyed elsewhere.”

LE CASTELLET, France, March 23, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing has partnered with New Era to design and produce a range of headwear for the team’s debut season in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) as the team’s Official Headwear Partner. 

New Partnership Shows Genesis Magma Racing Aspirations 

Genesis Magma Racing becomes New Era’s first major partnership in the FIA WEC paddock. The team joins the Buffalo, New York-based brand’s extensive roster of partners, including top names in the world of football, basketball and baseball as well as a growing number of motorsport teams covering the Formula 1, Formula E and MotoGP grids. 

“Partnering with New Era shows the level we aspire to,” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “We are a brand-new team in motorsport, but our FIA World Endurance Championship campaign is the start of a long-term project and commitment to motorsport. We aim not only to earn the right to compete for victories against our more experienced rivals, but to be mentioned alongside the global teams and brands that New Era count among their partners.” 

The three different designs that New Era will produce for the Genesis Magma Racing team and their fans will be with products in New Era’s 9FORTY and 9SEVENTY styles. 

Designs Combine Quality and High-Performance Environment 

Genesis Magma Racing’s partnership with the 106-year-old lifestyle and apparel brand brings the race team into the same premium market space inhabited by Genesis’ range of road cars. The agreement underlines the team’s aims to combine premium design with the demanding high-performance world of endurance motorsport, while also using their lines of high-quality apparel to appeal to a broader audience beyond FIA WEC fans. 

The designs combine the handcrafted quality and high-definition printing found across the New Era range with Genesis Magma Racing’s signature color combination of black and Magma Orange. Each design includes the geometric, hangeul-inspired Genesis Magma Racing logo, the winged emblem of the Genesis brand and New Era’s flag logo picked out in a contrasting color on each design. 

A limited-edition design, created especially for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, will add another special element to what will be a special weekend for the team as they become the first South Korean manufacturer to compete in the famous race. 

“We’re thrilled to partner with Genesis Magma Racing and bring New Era’s rich heritage in sports to an exciting new force in international motorsport,” said Patrik Söderström, Vice President EMEA & India at New Era. “Genesis Magma Racing has set out with clear ambition to establish itself as a serious contender driven by innovation, precision and a bold long-term vision. We’re proud to support the team through innovative headwear that embodies the team’s pursuit of excellence.” 

LE CASTELLET, France, Feb. 23, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing will work with HEXIS for the production and application of self-adhesive film to create the team’s livery on the GMR-001 Hypercars for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season. The French company will become a Technical Partner for the team.

Hexis Quality Products Play Vital Role for Team’s Identity

Livery is a critical part of the identity of any race team, and even more so for a team introducing a new manufacturer to the world of motorsport, which is Genesis Magma Racing’s exciting role in 2026.

To have maximum effect, especially in the face of the unique demands of endurance racing, the material applied to the car needs to be durable while not compromising the aerodynamics and efficiency of the race car. To match this complex set of demands, HEXIS’ solutions are developed to perform under intense mechanical stress, high-speed airflow, extreme temperature variations and demanding race-weekend logistics.

Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer Justin Taylor said: “The FIA World Endurance Championship is very demanding on every detail of the car, inside and out. The film on the car needs to be extremely light but very strong to resist the force of the air at high speed and impacts of stones and other small debris so the GMR-001 Hypercar looks its best throughout each race weekend.”

Genesis Magma Racing’s partnership with HEXIS gives the team the benefit of the company’s more than 35 years of experience, innovation and expertise in motorsport, honed through work with teams at every level of racing, from national series up to World Championships. That innovative expertise has come to the fore in HEXIS’ work with Genesis to develop a custom film that will be used on the GMR-001 Hypercar specifically for the team.

Shared DNA Joins Partners Together to Meet Challenge

Entering the FIA WEC as a brand-new manufacturer in motorsport is an enormous challenge for Genesis Magma Racing but one that the team is determined to work hard to overcome to earn the right to compete for podiums and victories. The same DNA runs through HEXIS, prompting the company to continually push itself through partnerships with leading motorsport teams.

“We search for performance together. We solve challenges together. We aim to win together,” said Clément Mateu, CEO of the HEXIS Group. “The world of motorsport remains a fantastic laboratory for testing and developing new technologies. HEXIS Group is fully committed to working alongside some racing teams and pro race drivers in this race for innovation and technological challenges.”

LE CASTELLET, France, Feb. 20, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing has partnered with award-winning outdoor furniture brand Helinox for the upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season, bringing practical, design-led solutions to the circuit for the 2026 campaign. The partnership with Helinox brings together two major South Korean brands with a shared commitment to high standards and beautiful design.

Partnership Provides Solution to Important Issue

Throughout its debut season in the FIA WEC, Genesis Magma Racing will be supplied with chairs and cots designed with the team’s signature Magma orange and Hangeul-inspired logo.

The Helinox products will solve one of the most obvious problems of endurance racing – making sure the team and drivers can rest between the intense moments of competition. To succeed at the highest levels of motorsport, everyone needs to be at their best. “A comfortable work environment is essential to have every person working to their full potential,” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Manager Anouck Abadie. “Having chairs and cots for the team might seem like a small thing, but at events where teams can work into and through the night, making sure people can rest and sleep is very important to minimize mistakes and keep everyone focused on our shared goal of winning.”

Helinox products in the team’s pit garages and private areas will allow team members to rest and recharge in comfort but still provide the flexibility to be easily moved, packed and stored during and between race weekends of the global series.

As a result of the partnership, the public will also be able to purchase Genesis Magma Racing-branded Helinox products, giving fans of the WEC’s newest Hypercar team the chance to show their support in the trackside spectator and camping areas of the 2026 season.

Helinox and Genesis Combine Function and Aesthetics

Helinox prides themselves on building the world’s lightest, strongest and most comfortable outdoor furniture designed to make any space – whether mountain trails, snowy slopes or the surroundings of the World Endurance Championship paddock – feel like home.

However, just as the mythological figures of Helios and Nox, who inspired the company’s name, represented the complementary contrasts of day and night, Helinox holds a balance between two seemingly contradictory qualities. The company aims for the space between function and aesthetics, becoming a hub of culture and creativity. In this pursuit the brand frequently partners with creative leaders, including names from fashion and contemporary art.

Genesis also seeks to blend function and form, including in the design of the GMR-001 Hypercar that will make them the first Korean manufacturer to enter the FIA WEC. The car combines key traits of Genesis’s road car range – including the instantly recognizable Two-Line headlamp design – with the requirements of a machine intended to take on one of motorsport’s toughest challenges.

“We are proud to partner with Genesis Magma Racing for the FIA World Endurance Championship,” Helinox’s Marketing, Innovation and Design team stated. “What connects our brands is a shared belief in purposeful, performance-driven design. At Helinox, we create lightweight, high-strength solutions that balance action and recovery because performance is sustained not only through intensity, but through rest. In endurance racing, where focus must be maintained over long hours and through the night, that balance becomes essential.”

LE CASTELLET, France, Feb. 9, 2026 — Genesis Magma Racing’s highly successful Trajectory Program will continue this year with a new focus on supporting young, talented drivers. Jamie Chadwick, Valerio Rinicella and Laurents Hörr will share an LMP2-class ORECA 07 in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) prepared by the IDEC Sport team.

New Season Brings Together Winning Elements from 2025

In the first racing action for the Genesis Magma Racing name in 2025, the Trajectory Program drivers were one of the stories of the ELMS season. Mathys Jaubert, Dani Juncadella and Jamie Chadwick won three of the six rounds during their first season of Prototype racing, finishing third in the final championship standings.

Unsurprisingly, given the incredible record, for 2026 the formula for the Trajectory Program in the ELMS remains the same. Genesis Magma Racing will again partner with the successful IDEC Sport squad, with its workshop close to Genesis Magma Racing’s own Le Castellet base.

Having played a vital role in the victories in 2025, Chadwick returns to the LMP2 class as the lead driver in the 2026 #18 entry. Combining racing in the six-round ELMS season with her duties as Official Reserve Driver for Genesis Magma Racing’s FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) team, 2026 will be a busy year for the British driver. The support of the Trajectory Program will aid Chadwick as she aims to claim a place in the driving lineup for the GMR-001 Hypercar.

Chadwick said: "I'm excited to be returning to ELMS with IDEC Sport as part of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program. Alongside our amazing results last year, we learnt and developed as the season went on, which gives me confidence that I can come back this year as a more well-rounded driver and set some more ambitious targets.”

She continued: “Returning with two strong teammates in Valerio, who is young but very fast and a proven race winner in the Asian Le Mans Series, as well as Laurents Hörr, with the experience he has, is fantastic. I think we can be positive about our chances to be as competitive as possible. This program, alongside the Hypercar reserve and test role, will be great as I can take learnings from that experience into the LMP2 program.”

New Names Add Further Ambition to Trajectory Program

Chadwick will be joined by two drivers on their first steps within the Trajectory Program. Valerio Rinicella was part of the lineup that won the LMP2 class title in the 2024 Asian Le Mans Series, taking victory in half of the six races that season. The Italian also enjoyed a strong 2025 season, winning races in Eurocup-3 competition and making a first start at Le Mans in the Le Mans Cup’s LMP3 class.

“Being part of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program is an incredible feeling,” said Rinicella. “I’m very happy to begin my journey with them — it’s a great opportunity to learn, grow and develop in the right environment. It will be a long and demanding season, and I’ll push at every moment to fight for the best possible results. Looking ahead, my goal is to continue progressing step by step, with the ambition of one day competing in the Genesis Magma Racing Hypercar program.”

The Trajectory driver lineup in the series for 2026 is completed by German Laurents Hörr. He is a multiple champion in LMP3, winning in both Le Mans Cup and ELMS competition. He also brings LMP2 experience to the team with four years’ experience in the ORECA 07, including a 2023 ELMS campaign with IDEC Sport where he scored a pair of podiums. Hörr also has two podiums in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing third in the LMP2 Pro-Am class in 2022 and 2024.

“It’s great to be back with IDEC Sport, but to be part of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program is amazing,” Hörr said. “It’s a massive step forward in my career. I’m really honored to join the program and couldn’t be looking forward more to racing this year together with the team, Valerio and Jamie. I know Valerio a little bit already and I’ve obviously seen Jamie around in the paddock. It will be a really good combination between youth and experience with the three of us. The aim is to achieve the best possible results for Genesis Magma Racing and IDEC Sport and to keep learning with every race from the team. I think it will be a strong season in the European Le Mans Series and the goal is clear for all of us.”

Focus of Trajectory Program Tightens to Support Talented Drivers

2026 is a key year for the Trajectory Program. It is a change after a first year with the dual targets of preparing Genesis Magma Racing team members of WEC competition and supporting drivers similarly taking their first steps in Prototype racing. The program proved hugely successful in these aims with key team personnel set to join drivers Mathys Jaubert and Dani Juncadella in the WEC paddock this season.

With Genesis Magma Racing now part of the global series, the focus of the Trajectory Program will be exclusively on nurturing young drivers building a career in professional motorsport. This project starts in the familiar surroundings of the ELMS, with clear opportunity for drivers to, eventually, become part of the Genesis Magma Racing team.

Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini said: “The first year of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program was incredibly successful, both for results on track in the European Le Mans Series and in preparing Genesis Magma Racing for the FIA World Endurance Championship. However, for 2026 we need to change the focus of the program; to concentrate on supporting talented drivers, with the target that they should, one day, be able to step up to the WEC.”

He added: “We saw what Jamie was capable of last year, and Valerio and Laurents have also shown great pace and potential in multiple categories, including at different levels and series in Prototype competition. Together with the experienced team at IDEC Sport, I am sure they have a strong season ahead of them where they can continue to make progress in their careers.”

Driver Profile: Jamie Chadwick

Place of Birth: Bath, UK
Date of Birth: May 20, 1998
FIA Driver Grading: Silver

Career Highlights:

Driver Profile: Valerio Rinicella

Place of Birth: Rome, Italy
Date of Birth: Jan. 18, 2007
FIA Driver Grading: Silver

Career Highlights:

Driver Profile: Laurents Hörr

Place of Birth: Gerlingen, Germany
Date of Birth: Sept. 11, 1997
FIA Driver Grading: Gold

Career Highlights:

LE CASTELLET, France, Feb. 2, 2026 — The Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program will expand for the 2026 season with the inclusion of Korean drivers Michael Shin and Kyuho Lee, both aiming to carve out a career in professional motorsport. Their entry signals a new chapter for the Program and Genesis Magma Racing’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent, with the broader ambition of elevating motorsport awareness and engagement within Genesis’ home country.

Shifting Focus Following Successful 2025 Season

The two Korean drivers, who will compete in single-seater series this season, show the changing focus of the Trajectory Program for 2026 to concentrate on driver development. Shin and Lee join Genesis Magma Racing Official Reserve Driver Jamie Chadwick in the Trajectory Program for the coming season.

Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini said: “The Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program was incredibly successful in preparing us as a team for the FIA World Endurance Championship. It was a vital platform where Mathys Jaubert and Dani Juncadella could gain experience and show the capabilities that led to them becoming part of our 2026 team. This year, the Trajectory Program will solely focus on driver development. We will closely follow the progress of all our Trajectory driver supporting them in their motorsport careers.”

The two Korean drivers were selected based on the excellent results they have already scored in their young careers and their potential as they climb the racing ladder. Michael Shin, 21, secured his first race win in the 2022 F4 British Championship at Brands Hatch. Shin also has wins in the Euroformula Open and Formula Regional Oceania championships. Running with the HitechGP team, he will contest this year’s FIA Formula 3 Championship, which supports the Formula One World Championship at ten rounds of this year’s World Championship calendar, beginning at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne, Australia.

His countryman Kyuho Lee, 16, refined his racecraft in karting championships – highlighted by his victory in the inaugural OK-N World Cup, a competition for drivers in 125 cc engined karts. In 2025, he progressed into single-seater racing, debuting in the F4 Middle East and Spanish Championships and securing a podium finish in the F4 South East Asia Championship. This year, Lee will step up to the GB3 Championship with Elite Motorsport. Although based in the U.K., half of the series’ eight rounds are held on circuits across Europe, providing an ideal step to gain valuable circuit-racing experience and laying the groundwork for future moves into higher racing categories.

Both drivers will carry Genesis Magma Racing branding on their race suits and cars for the 2026 season, helping to raise awareness of the Genesis brand beyond endurance racing paddocks. Their participation complements the team’s broader efforts as it prepares for the debut of the GMR-001 Hypercar in the FIA World Endurance Championship. 

New Drivers to Serve as Ambassadors for Motorsport in Korea

Since its formation in December 2024, Genesis Magma Racing has taken on the role of an ambassador for motorsport in Korea, working to cultivate deeper appreciation and excitement for motorsport within Korea. The inclusion of two Korean drivers reflects this commitment and brings renewed visibility and aspiration to the sport in the country. 

“One of our targets has always been to raise the profile of motorsport in South Korea,” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “We want to be the ambassadors of all motorsports for the country and supporting two top Korean talents is a key step, even while they race outside of sports cars, where our main focus is as a team. Both Michael and Kyuho clearly have the ambition and talent to build international racing careers, and I am proud that we can support them in their next steps.”

Michael Shin said: “I am delighted to be joining the Genesis Magma Racing family as part of the Trajectory Program. To be part of a Korean team as one of the only Korean drivers racing abroad brings great pride to myself, my family and team. Having the support of such a brand helps create a path for my career, and starting together in FIA F3 is the perfect proving ground. I look forward to learning and progressing together and bringing great pride to the brand and Korea. A huge thank you the whole Genesis Magma Racing family for this opportunity.”

Kyuho Lee said: “Racing in Europe is a very important step for any driver who wants to build a serious motorsport career. Europe is where the highest level of competition, engineering knowledge and racing culture come together, and every race is an opportunity to learn and improve both technically and mentally. As a Korean driver, becoming part of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program is a great step for me. I believe this year will be an important foundation for the next stages of my career and I know can do it.”

Genesis recently unveiled its first high-performance car that embodies this spirit, the GV60 Magma — inspired by the hidden potential energy of magma bubbling unseen beneath the earth’s surface. Sharing this DNA trackside is the GMR-001 Hypercar that will be piloted by the Genesis Magma Racing (GMR) team when Genesis makes its official motorsport debut at the World Endurance Championship (WEC) in Qatar this March.

Both the GV60 Magma and GMR-001 will be making a joint appearance at Davos, Switzerland, during the annual World Economic Forum from Jan. 19 to 23. The display will take center stage at the entrance of the Ameron Hotel.

The exhibition follows the Genesis Magma World Premiere in November 2025 and celebrates the start of sales of the GV60 Magma in Korea, which began on Jan. 13. By showcasing both the production model and the Hypercar together, Genesis reinforces the inseparable relationship between its luxury road cars and its elite racing program.

The Genesis Trajectory: Luxury Meets High Performance

Since its inception, Genesis has cultivated a reputation for luxury and innovation. At the 10-year anniversary of the brand in November 2025, Genesis unveiled the GV60 Magma, a car engineered to reflect Genesis’ strategy of luxury high performance.

At the Genesis Magma World Premiere on Nov. 20, 2025, José Muñoz, President & CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, said, “Magma represents our declaration that the next ten years will be even more significant. We're not just building high-performance vehicles; we're redefining what a luxury high performance brand can be when Korean innovation meets global ambition."

This trajectory is about more than just endurance and performance — it’s about legacy.

Shared DNA On and Off the Track

Motorsport serves as the ultimate proving ground for advancing automotive innovation in mass-production vehicles. The extreme conditions encountered during high-speed racing — such as advanced aerodynamics, demanding cooling requirements and the sheer durability needed to endure grueling 24-hour competitions — create the perfect environment for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in vehicle technology.

Through Genesis Magma Racing’s entry into motorsport and subjecting vehicles like the GMR-001 to the rigorous testing needed to succeed in racing, Genesis can uncover new ways to elevate performance, resulting in meaningful, long-term advancements across its entire product lineup.

These track-bred innovations are seamlessly integrated into the Magma DNA, establishing a strategic pathway for enhancing performance, driving technological breakthroughs and setting new benchmarks for luxury vehicles.

Manfred Harrer, Head of the Vehicle Development Tech Unit at Hyundai Motor Group, explained this at the Magma World Premiere: "The GV60 Magma stands as the bridge between Genesis and our Genesis Magma Racing team. What we learn from GMR feeds back into Magma Road cars, and future Magma models will help power our racing future. It’s a continuous loop of improvement."

From aerodynamics to handling precision, everything learned through racing refines the vehicles that customers bring home.

To illustrate the Magma DNA shared on and off the track, Genesis has produced a short film titled “Le Switch” featuring GMR drivers Andre Lotterer and Pipo Derani. It depicts the seamless relationship between the GV60 Magma production car and the GMR-001 Hypercar.

The video begins with Derani driving a GV60 Magma through the scenic coastal roads of the French countryside. Meanwhile, Lotterer finishes a test drive of the GMR-001 Hypercar overseen by GMR Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul at Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France — the home base of the GMR team. Derani arrives at the circuit and parks in one of the pit lane garages at the same time Lotterer pulls over in the pits after completing his laps. Both men exit their vehicles, and the pit crew begins preparing the GMR-001 for Derani’s stint. Lotterer spots the GV60 Magma and grabs the key fob. As Derani steps up to the Hypercar to take over racing test duties, he notices the GV60 Magma is already gone. Lotterer is already enjoying the drive to a villa for much-needed rest and relaxation. Le Switch is seamless.

The GV60 Magma introduces a new expression of the Magma identity, bringing a more defined performance character to the Genesis lineup while maintaining the brand’s commitment to luxury, refinement and progressive design. As the first production model in the Magma program, it reflects Genesis’ approach to high performance across both road and race.

Genesis Magma Racing drivers Andre Lotterer and Pipo Derani will lead the brand’s Hypercar effort in the 2026 WEC season. As key figures within the program, they represent the performance expertise and competitive mindset that connect the GV60 Magma with the GMR-001 Hypercar, reinforcing the shared intent behind both production innovation and top-level endurance racing.

Together, the GV60 Magma and the GMR-001 Hypercar signal the future direction of the Magma program as Genesis expands its presence across performance, design and global motorsport.

As José Muñoz, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, said, "What we learn on the track will continue to shape not just Magma, but the future of our brand as a whole."

LE CASTELLET, France, Dec. 19, 2025 — In the year since Genesis Magma Racing was launched in Dubai in December 2024, the team has been incredibly busy. Over the last twelve months an entirely new team has been created, with staff and drivers recruited from across the motorsport spectrum. The team took its first racing steps as part of the Trajectory Program with the European Le Mans Series, while building and developing the GMR-001 Hypercar it will take into next year’s FIA World Endurance Championship. Reflecting on all the work that has been done, but also that which remains, Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul looks back on 2025. 

Can you sum up how 2025 has been for Genesis Magma Racing? 

“It's been a positive, busy and constructive year, in which we have not only delivered a great looking sports car but also built a racing team and established a team base that will be crucial in preparing ourselves over the winter. So, in all these areas, it's been busy, it's been productive, but also very rewarding to orchestrate so much change in just one year.” 

What has been the most difficult part about building a team from scratch? 

“Building up a group of people is tricky, especially as we were creating a brand-new team in a new location. We had to find the people we wanted to bring in, but most of them were busy doing something else, so we had to give them the prospect of not just what we are now, but what we can become together by explaining what the project is about and getting them to believe in the project.” 

“The other big challenge was clearly on the powertrain side. We had very limited time to design the specific parts needed to adapt our WRC engine to the specific requirements of endurance racing to create the Genesis G8MR 3.2l Turbo V8. It was clearly a race against the clock. Everything happened very quickly, but we've been able to comply exactly with the schedule we set, from the very first crankshaft revolutions in the dyno in February, to, last week, hitting the 8,000-kilometer target that we had set ourselves.” 

How essential do you think the Trajectory Program and our partnership with IDEC Sport have been in preparing the Genesis Magma Racing team? 

“It was a good tool for us to get to know endurance racing and for endurance racing to get to know us. The ELMS season was also a great opportunity to assess drivers, and that certainly influenced our decisions about our lineup next year. It was also an opportunity for some team members to build a transition from rally into circuit racing.” 

“On track it was very positive. Usually, I'm a big fan of setting targets, but coming to ELMS, actually we had few sporting targets. Then, when success started to come, for sure, it was a great feeling and it began to draw more attention externally and internally, which was precisely the objective. I remember already after race one in Barcelona when we had the first win, I received lots of messages, almost surprised at what we could already achieve. With IDEC Sport, we clearly did well with three wins out of six races, but you still always want a bit more, so we were all a little frustrated of the final championship outcome, but again, it was never the main target for this season.” 

Can you summarize the on-track development we have done with the car? 

“From shakedown onwards, it was a succession of tests with clear plans and targets, and an action plan between each session. It's been busy, but it's been very structured. Our approach was ambitious and pragmatic at the same time – focused on problem resolution and we've done exactly that. What's been great is the number of things that were right straight out of the box. The chassis in particular. The behavior of the car and the reaction to setup change were immediately very good. ORECA gave us a very sound platform from which to build reliability and performance. There has been a good level of cooperation between us and ORECA, from the first test where Genesis Magma Racing staff were clearly outnumbered by ORECA but then came a tipping point as our team was growing. The transfer of responsibility took place very professionally, another demonstration of the very strong planning and execution this year by the team management, Chief Engineer Justin Taylor and Team Manager Anouck Abadie in particular.” 

What was the high point of the year, or a crucial point in the development of the car? 

“There were a few points, I think. First, in the test at Circuit Paul Ricard in summer, when the first feedback from André and Pipo about the general behavior of the car was positive. That was certainly good – there is nothing worse than having to fight for the balance of the car, but the development is far from being linear. We've been making some steps forward, but it's a very, very long process and we know that we are still very far from being able to extract all the lap time that is possible from the package.” 

How important of a milestone is the engine passing 8,000 kilometers during the Barcelona test? 

“It's a big milestone because it shows that it's possible, that there is nothing fundamentally wrong in the engine and in our development decisions. It's a clear demonstration of the capacity of our powertrain group to deal with very short timelines, but also some challenging early days and issues for which measures were developed successfully, and in time.” 
“It's obviously a motivation, because we know we have a product that has the capacity to reach the level we need. Quality control will be essential to make sure that it's not just a one off, but something that we can fully reproduce, and that powertrain technology becomes one of the recognized strengths of Genesis Magma Racing.” 

How does what the team has achieved compare to the goals that were set at the start of the year? 

“If I look at what we had to deliver, I think we delivered extremely well, but it will always be relative to where the bar is placed by our competitors, and we will only be able to find that out next year. In the GMR-001 Hypercar we have a car that has clearly strong potential. The team is maybe new but filled with individuals with huge amounts of experience in various categories. And finally, our lineup of drivers is a very strong balance of three champions – André Lotterer, Pipo Derani and Mathieu Jaminet, an exciting rising star in Mathys, and very established professional drivers with Paul-Loup and Dani. We have exactly what we need – now it's up to us to make the best out of it.” 

What are the next steps for the team and the car development in the first part of 2026? 

“There will be more test days before the first race. It's about trying to do as much as we can before the car goes through homologation, because then any changes will be more limited. That's why the start of the year will be extra busy. We need to have many more iterations on the software side, so that will be very much the focus, as well as working on all the procedures that will be critical when the season starts.” 

“Our target for the start of the year is for us to have both a car and team – including the drivers – that are reliable, making no mistake, focus on completing the race. If we can do that, then it will be about building competitiveness. Once again, it is all about planning for building the very solid foundations we will need in the years to come.”

LE CASTELLET, France, Dec. 15, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing wrapped up an intense year at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with a three-day test from Dec. 10-12 that included an important milestone for the GMR-001 Hypercar’s development. 

Final Test of 2025 Gives Team Chance to Test Operational Processes 

Coming just over a year after the formal announcement of the team in Dubai, the successful test showed how far Genesis Magma Racing and the GMR-001 Hypercar have progressed in 2025. 

A team of personnel has been built from the ground up, bringing together technicians and engineers from endurance racing and staff from Hyundai Motorsport, who were part of the Trajectory Program, embedded within the IDEC Sport LMP2 team. The Barcelona test was a key evaluation of operational processes, involving full crews of mechanics and engineers for the two test cars as well as team management and six-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx, serving as the team’s Racing Advisor. 

Team Manager Anouck Abadie said, “It's like a rehearsal before you go on stage, so that was very important to do it. To know that everybody works well together, because when you pick up people from different teams and environments you don't expect them to know each other at the first race. So, it was really important for us, before closing 2025, to at least do one test with almost a full team. We had 75 people, about 80% of the team here, so now we can see if we need to make some adjustments. Overall, I am very satisfied and optimistic when I see the team working together.” 

The test also brought a significant milestone in the development of the Genesis G8MR 3.2l Turbo V8 engine at the heart of the car. The motor, designed and built by Hyundai Motorsport, was first fired up in February, beginning a series of dyno tests to achieve efficiency, power and reliability targets. During the days at Barcelona, the engine of car #17 surpassed 8,000km — a key reliability goal — before the end of the test. 

“It's a massive deal for us to reach our reliability target,” said Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer Justin Taylor. “If you go into the season knowing that you can't complete the longest, most important race, then it would be hard to stay motivated. The power unit guys had the biggest task of anybody with this project, so this speaks to the job they’ve done.” 

Successful Test Completes Remarkable Year 

The team completed three full days of running at the circuit with both cars. Following the confirmation of the team’s driver lineup for the 2026 WEC season, the test was a further opportunity for drivers and engineers to work together as they will next year. #17 GMR-001 Hypercar drivers André Lotterer, Pipo Derani and Mathys Jaubert shared a car sporting a new “liquid metal” livery, overlaid with the Korean Hangeul lettering for “Magma” which inspired the geometric Genesis Magma Racing logo carried on the car’s engine cover. 

Mathieu Jaminet and Dani Juncadella shared the second car with 2026 Reserve Driver Jamie Chadwick, continuing to gain experience in the GMR-001 Hypercar. Paul-Loup Chatin, who will complete the #19 line-up for 2026, was not cleared to drive the car until the new year.

On track, the running focused on optimizing reliable performance within the WEC’s technical regulations on a track representative of many on the FIA WEC calendar. Having two cars on the track also provided the team double the amount of data. 

André Lotterer said, “We have come a long way with since the first test, especially on reliability. So, we were at Barcelona with two cars focused on performance and in particular software optimization. We came with a new aero package, taking what we have learned and also got to try the new tires on one car. We maximized our time on track and collected a lot of data so we leave smarter than when we arrived.” 

Taylor said, “I think we go into the Christmas break with positive spirits, because we know that we can now start working on other things and have a little bit less to worry about. Certainly, there's a lot of people who have a lot of work left to do next year, but I am confident.”

LE CASTELLET, France, Dec. 5, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini has been heavily involved in the team’s decision-making surrounding drivers for the 2026 World Endurance Championship (WEC). Following the recent completion of the driving roster and confirmation of the lineups for the pair of GMR-001 Hypercars that will take to the grid, the former Touring Car star provides insight into his role within the team and the motivations behind recruiting drivers and dividing them between the two entries.

What are the main responsibilities of a Sporting Director during the testing and development of the car, and when we are racing in 2026?

“During testing, the Sporting Director, alongside the Chief Engineer and Team Manager, organizes all the on-track activity, including the run plans and driver rotations, to make sure we efficiently use the track time we have. I confirm each driver’s program and schedule, ensuring a clear relationship between the team and drivers. Working with Team Manager and engineers I am also responsible for helping to refine pitstop procedures, driver change routines and safety checks, acting as the link between management and our drivers.”

“Once Genesis Magma Racing starts to compete, I will oversee all sporting sessions of a race weekend, working on the race strategy with the rest of the team, but also coordinating the drivers’ schedules for the different commitments they will have at the track. The Sporting Director is also the team representative in the official briefings and in clarifying any regulations. For any incident I will be the one managing any investigations and penalties — maintaining communication with Race Control and the stewards and supporting with footage and data — and filing or responding to any protests when required.”

What skills and experience can you transfer from your driving and Team Manager role in Touring Cars into your role as GMR Sporting Director?

“So far, my experience has mainly been in sprint races, but the racing spirit doesn’t change — it just needs to be adapted to longer distances. A driver wants the same things whether he is racing for 30 minutes, or 6 hours. From my experience, I know what our drivers need during a race weekend — what information they need and when, and how I would manage a schedule to make sure I can do my job properly. My extensive experience will certainly help create harmony between the team and drivers’ needs, and a clear target when they are behind the wheel.”

We recently announced Mathieu Jaminet and Paul-Loup Chatin as our final two drivers for the 2026 season. What made them stand out from all the available drivers?

“Mathieu and Paul-Loup represent the middle point in our team — between the experience of Andre and Pipo, and the youth and motivation of Mathys and Dani. While assessing driver options we were following the WEC and IMSA championship seasons, where both Mathieu and Paul-Loup have scored great results, Mathieu winning the IMSA title and Paul-Loup scoring his first WEC win, while driving a car built around an ORECA spine, just like the GMR-001 Hypercar.”

When selecting drivers what have been the key factors you and the team have considered?

“The choice of drivers is crucial to the team's success. They need to be talented, fast of course, but you also need to choose drivers who work well together on and off-track. Every driver brings their own individual racing experience and whether it’s long or short, it is very important. I think with our seven drivers we have a perfect balance of experience, youth and performance — each of which has its own advantages and it's up to us to combine all their personalities and characters to try to bring out the best in each of them. Experienced drivers are fundamental in developing a new car like our GMR-001 Hypercar, because they could immediately sense the car’s potential and quickly lead the team in the right direction. Young drivers bring the enthusiasm and optimism that will be needed through the inevitable tough moments of a season. Each influences the other — the young drivers learn from their more experienced teammates, and the experienced drivers are pushed to perform at their peak by the new talent improving with each lap and weekend.”

How did you make the decision about the driver lineups for the two GMR-001 Hypercars for the 2026 season?

“Once we had all our drivers for the 2026 season confirmed, deciding the lineups for the two race cars became the most important decision for Cyril Justin and myself. We wanted the strongest balance of experience and youth in each lineup. So, for example, we have André and Pipo — our most experienced drivers — together with Mathys, who is our only driver who has never raced in the WEC before. In the other car we have a great mix of Hypercar and LMDh knowledge with Mathieu and Paul-Loup, and the endurance racing experience of Dani. We analyzed each driver’s performance in the tests but also listened to the feedback they gave — and how they gave it. We also evaluated which drivers communicated and worked best together outside of the car, which you get to see in the quieter moments during testing and visits to the workshop. Finally, we needed to find the best compromises in terms of drivers’ height and weight, which is important to speed up driver changes during a race and save vital seconds.”

How important has it been to get feedback from drivers with different experiences during the development of Genesis’ first race car?

“It was fundamental because, unlike other manufacturers, we couldn’t rely on existing teams and previous projects, since we were starting from scratch. However, it was important not to waste time, because the period between our first test and first race is so short. We had to choose the right people for the right positions and begin to grow straight away. After each driver’s first laps in the car, I listened to them carefully to grasp the smallest nuances of their relationship with the GMR-001 Hypercar. Each was focused on something slightly different; their emotions and words were varied, but all were aimed at improving performance and taking the next steps forward together.”

DAVOS, Switzerland, Nov. 20, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing has completed its driver lineup for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship, announcing experienced Hypercar class drivers Mathieu Jaminet and Paul-Loup Chatin. The pair join André Lotterer, Pipo Derani, Dani Juncadella and their fellow Frenchman Mathys Jaubert on the roster for the season. 

Experience and Pedigree Complete Genesis Magma Racing Squad 

Jaminet and Chatin bring considerable Hypercar and endurance racing experience to their new team, further strengthening Genesis Magma Racing’s stable of drivers ahead of their competitive debut. 

Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini said: “The addition of Mathieu Jaminet and Paul-Loup Chatin completes a well-balanced lineup for our debut WEC season. They are the perfect point between the experience we have in André Lotterer and Pipo Derani, and the potential we see in Mathys Jaubert and Dani Juncadella.” 

“We have an amazing lineup for Genesis Magma Racing’s first year in the FIA World Endurance Championship,” said Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul. “The combination of drivers that we have secured far exceeds any expectation we had when we began the project. It is a huge mark of the trust these race winners and champions have placed in our young team, Genesis and the broader Hyundai Motor Group. I am sure they will create huge motivation and a virtuous circle for the team that is coming together very nicely at our base in Signes.” 

Jaminet has become a stalwart of worldwide endurance racing paddocks, first in the GT classes before graduating to the Hypercar and GTP class of WEC and IMSA respectively. He won the 2022 GTD Pro class title in the North America-based series and moved to the premier class the following season. Since then, he has collected five overall victories and a further eight podiums, including results in the series’ headline endurance races at Daytona, Sebring and Road Atlanta. 

“I’m very happy to be joining Genesis Magma Racing,” said Jaminet. “This is the start of a new chapter, a new history for me. This team offers me that opportunity to go racing in the WEC and hopefully in the future also the IMSA series.” 

He added: “I wanted to have a fresh start with new people to try to step up but also bring my experience to a new team and work to build something incredible for the future. Obviously, the road will be long with a new team, but I’m really excited and looking forward to the challenge ahead.” 

He has contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans four times — once in LMGTE Pro and three times in Hypercar — and has completed a partial schedule in the WEC this year, scoring a best finish of fourth in Japan. 

WEC Race Winner Chatin Brings Important Development Knowledge to New Team 

At the same event, Chatin joined the list of WEC race winners as part of the team that won the 6 Hours of Fuji. On top of 15 starts in the top class of the championship, he crucially brings more experience of the ORECA chassis which forms the basis of the GMR-001 Hypercar. His knowledge about previous development of the platform will add another important element to the final preparations of the car for its competitive debut and the further testing to be completed during the 2026 season. 

Chatin said: “I am truly honored and proud to join the Genesis Magma Racing adventure in Hypercar. First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone who made this opportunity possible. After two enriching years with Alpine Endurance Team and the recent success in Fuji, I feel more ready than ever to take on this new challenge.” 

“Genesis is still a young brand, but its values and ambitions immediately resonated with me,” he added. “I’m well aware of the challenges that await us, but I have full confidence in our team’s talent and determination to quickly move forward and fight for top positions.” 

Chatin is also a familiar face to Juncadella and Jaubert, having been part of the driving squad for the sister IDEC Sport entry to the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory drivers’ car in the European Le Mans Series throughout 2025. 

Final Tests Give Team Opportunities to Assess Potential Driver Partnerships 

The arrival of Jaminet and Chatin adds one more element to Genesis Magma Racing’s development. Jaminet was part of the team’s latest endurance test, which took place at the MotorLand Aragon circuit on Nov. 15-17. Joining previously announced drivers André Lotterer, Pipo Derani, Mathys Jaubert and Dani Juncadella, as well as recently announced Reserve Driver Jamie Chadwick, Jaminet completed stints throughout the test where the team was able to take a major step in confirming the reliability essential to its first steps in WEC competition. 

“I had to adapt a little bit,” Jaminet said after his first laps in the GMR-001 Hypercar. “The car requires a different driving style compared to what I am used to. It seems to like nice big corners. It's actually quite nice. At this stage every lap is really important for a driver. You need to understand all the systems, all the buttons on the steering wheel and all the procedures.” 

He added: “I think I come in with different feedback on a few things. I'm one of the most experienced drivers with LMDh cars and obviously I was in a different car not long ago. I tried to not get too much feedback from the other drivers – I really wanted to make my opinion, also for the engineers. The idea was not to provide me with too much information to really start from a white sheet of paper to tell them what I think.” 

The drivers’ performance and feedback, as well as the working dynamics with the team’s other drivers, will be assessed by Genesis Magma Racing team management, led by Tarquini and Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul, to decide the exact driving lineup for the team’s pair of FIA World Endurance Championship entries. 

“The chemistry between drivers in the car is vital when it comes to success,” said Tarquini. “Through the tests we can see how the drivers work together, see how their driving styles and set-up preferences match, and how the relationships begin to form before deciding our lineups for the season. The key will be to make sure we have the best possible squad of drivers in both cars to help us create the strong foundations we need as a team.” 

Driver Profile: Mathieu Jaminet

Place of Birth: Hayange, France
Date of Birth: Oct. 24, 1994
FIA Driver Grading: Platinum

Career Highlights:

Driver Profile: Paul-Loup Chatin

Place of Birth: Dourdan, France
Date of Birth: Oct. 19, 1991
FIA Driver Grading: Gold

Career Highlights:

MAGNY-COURS, France, Nov. 18, 2025 — Fresh from her race-winning season in the European Le Mans Series, Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program driver Jamie Chadwick took another step in her journey with the team last month at Circuit Magny-Cours, as she completed her first laps in the GMR-001 Hypercar. 

Hypercar Test Continues Rapid Progression with Genesis Magma Racing 

Jamie’s first laps, which took place during a three-day development test at the French circuit, were the latest step in an intense 10 months since she was named as part of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program in December 2024. With the team, she has completed her first full season in Prototype Racing, winning three ELMS races alongside Mathys Jaubert and Dani Juncadella and finishing third in the LMP2 class championship. 

She joined her ELMS teammates — who will be part of Genesis Magma Racing’s driver lineup for the FIA World Endurance Championship next year — as well as André Lotterer and Pipo Derani at the test. After a short initial stint running wet tires on a drying track, she returned the following day for a longer run in the GMR-001 Hypercar in fully dry conditions. 

Chadwick said: “My first laps in the GMR-001 Hypercar were amazing. It’s a really impressive car and so fast in a straight line. There’s a lot of different systems available to you as a driver, tools that you can use to make a difference. Obviously, so much is changing and evolving with every test that the team does. But it’s just a super car to drive, but also just a great team to be part of.” 

In joining the test, she became only the second woman to drive a Hypercar class WEC challenger, placing her again among an elite group of female racers in the upper reaches of the sport. 

“I think it said everything when I saw her face the first time she jumped out of the car,” said Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini. “She was very, very happy. I think she enjoyed the laps at Magny-Cours, even if it was just a short test.” 

First Laps Prepare Chadwick for Reserve Driver and Car Development Role 

Her time in the car heralded the beginning of the next stage of Jamie’s personal trajectory with Genesis Magma Racing. Through the final part of 2025 and during the 2026 season she will take on more responsibility for development work within the team, working in on-track and simulator sessions driving the GMR-001 Hypercar. 

Jamie will also become Genesis Magma Racing’s Reserve Driver for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season alongside her own racing program, which will be confirmed at a later date. 

Tarquini said: “It's always very good to have feedback from a new driver who doesn’t know the car at all. Jamie has had a fantastic season with our Trajectory Program in the European Le Mans Series. As a development driver for the GMR-001 Hypercar, she will be a vital part of our team for the future in helping us prepare for events and make the progression we will need during our first season.” 

“It's hugely special to be involved in the development of the GMR-001 Hypercar,” said Chadwick. “It's another progression in my career and one I'm really proud of. Becoming a Reserve Driver in Hypercar is one step closer to my ultimate goal. The opportunity to test and drive more is something that I'm really looking forward to and a role that I'm going to try to relish and make the most of.” 

She added: “The development role can also be a huge help to my racing. Obviously, Hypercar is a step up in terms of everything that you're learning, but you can still take that back to other categories and series just from the constant testing and working with the engineers.”

LE CASTELLET, France, Nov. 6, 2025 — Testing of the Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001 Hypercar entered a new phase last week, with three days (Oct. 28-30) of running at Circuit Magny-Cours in France. The running was dominated by wet conditions, giving the team the opportunity to gain information on the car’s handling balance in all conditions. 

Previous Progress Allows Focus to Turn to Performance For the First Time 

The test added another strand to the already busy development plan. Following the initial running to calibrate systems and the first endurance test to begin to work on component reliability, the three days at Magny-Cours broadened the focus to include maximizing performance for the first time. 

Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini said: “We are continuing to develop the GMR-001 Hypercar, but we are also working on a different area and starting to think about performance. We need to build a sort of ‘toolbox’ for the setup in all conditions making sure the drivers are able to adjust the car to always be able to be pushed in any condition.” 

“From our previous tests, I think we have made big progress on the system side,” said Pipo Derani. “As we get to the part of the development where things have been stabilized, we can switch focus to getting the maximum from the package we have in the GMR-001 Hypercar and begin to look at performance a bit more.” 

The test featured all four drivers who are currently confirmed as part of the Genesis Magma Racing lineup for the FIA World Endurance Championship, with Derani joined by André Lotterer, Mathys Jaubert and Dani Juncadella. 

“It was a good test for me personally to get more mileage in the car,” said Juncadella, “But it was also a very good test because it's the first time where we have had a range of conditions at the same circuit to try things with the mechanical setup. We were always moving in the right direction.” 

Wet Weather Plays Perfectly Into Testing Plans

 
The team intended to deliberately wet the track to gather data on the GMR-001 Hypercar’s behavior in wet conditions. However, Mother Nature played along with the testing plan, delivering rain to circuit, particularly during the middle day of the test. 

“Wet-weather testing is always important with any new car,” said Tarquini. “We know we will face wet conditions in race circumstances at some track, and it could easily be the biggest race of the year, so the team and drivers need to know how the car reacts in difficult conditions.” 

“It was perfect timing,” said Tarquini. “It was planned to test in the wet on the third day, but fortunately, the second day was completely wet, so we didn't have to wet the track artificially. It actually helped us a little, because we got to run on a very wet track, but also while the circuit was drying as well.” 

Jaubert said: “The car was really nice in the wet conditions. We did some running in damp conditions, but also when it was really wet during the night. Overall, we made a lot of systems improvements in the traction control. It's difficult to compare because we are the only ones on track, but the car balance feels great.” 

The relatively low air and track temperatures, both peaking at 17-18°C on the coldest day, also gave the chance to gain experience with the tires in starkly different weather to what the team have seen in previous tests. 

“We got a chance to play a little bit outside the box in terms of what you would need to do warming up a tire to have it ready to race,” said Genesis Magma Racing Chief Engineer Justin Taylor. “We can learn things which we wouldn't get a chance to do during a race weekend and start to build strategies to get heat into the tires.” 

“We ran a near 2026-spec tire for the first time, so we got some experience of how the wet tires behave with our car,” said Lotterer. “We worked on our systems for first time in the wet, which was very important. We learned about our traction control and all the up- and downshifts to make sure everything works correctly in the wet.” 

Tarquini said: “We still want to do a lot more kilometers, but this was a very positive three days. Everybody is happy about the car behavior in the wet, and the drivers were able to give good feedback. We had some small problems which we were fast to solve, and we know the direction to go for the next tests, which will be very important.” 

With only a handful of days on track remaining before the GMR-001 Hypercar begins the homologation process, there remains a lot of work to complete. The remaining tests will combine the dual targets of reliability and performance but also act as the first dress rehearsals for the team’s race weekend procedures in preparation for their FIA WEC debut.

LE CASTELLET, France, Oct. 30, 2025 — Since being announced as part of Genesis Magma Racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Genesis Magma Racing Team Manager Anouck Abadie has taken a central role in preparing the team for their FIA World Endurance Championship. During the packed development schedule for the GMR-001 Hypercar, she has simultaneously supported organizing the tests and helped to build the team and operational procedures, taking her experience from her work with the FIA and customer racing teams.

What is a Team Manager responsible for in a motorsport team?

“At the moment, the definition of a Team Manager really depends on how each team interprets the role. At Genesis Magma Racing, my job is to build and manage the team, oversee the budget and plan operations. I like to say that I’m here to support my people — to give them clear direction and objectives. On the racing side, you’re like the control tower, ensuring everyone follows the regulations and internal policies while keeping the group calm and focused. And as we like to say in this job, you’re often ‘playing the fireman’ — managing crises as they come.”

You arrived at Genesis Magma Racing with experience working with the FIA and customer GT teams. What can you bring from these roles to Genesis Magma Racing?

“Definitely politics — I’m still learning to be politically correct while staying true to myself. Working with the FIA gave me a broad understanding of long-term vision; they must think ahead because they’re responsible for most of the global motorsport ecosystem. From my GT customer experience, I learned how crucial it is to manage budgets carefully while meeting client expectations. They used to call me ‘T-Rex’ — not because of my temper, but because I had ‘short arms’ when it came to spending money!”

What skills does it take to be a good Team Manager in motorsport, and particular in the FIA World Endurance Championship?

“It’s hard to summarize — you can list all the theoretical skills, but there’s no perfect formula. It’s about finding a balance between being firm and being empathetic, but above all, being fair and respectful to your team. When you ask them to give more, you need to lead by example, which isn’t always easy because at the end of the day, you’re human too.”

Successful teamwork is critical to success in endurance racing. How can a Team Manager help build the spirit and processes to bring the team together?

“Communication — it’s the key to any successful team. You must face problems openly and find solutions together. You need to stay alert to what’s happening inside the team and push everyone to keep improving. The team must understand we’re all in the same boat, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep the group united. If someone struggles, we don’t give up on them, we support and bring them back on track. It’s like in the army — we need to move as one.”

Genesis Magma Racing is a team being built from scratch this year – what have been the main challenges you have faced while preparing the team for competition?

“Starting from scratch is incredible — exciting, challenging and exhausting — it’s an opportunity that doesn’t come around often. The biggest challenge is finding people who can truly work together and making the right staffing choices. In our case, we hired both highly experienced Hypercar and WEC professionals, and a younger generation with endurance experience. This mix ensures continuity — knowledge can be passed down just like in a football team; you don’t need only superstars, but strong, determined people who complement one another.”

What has been your role during the development of the GMR-001 Hypercar, and how will this change with the start of the team’s first season of racing?

“Fortunately, I wasn’t involved in the technical side — otherwise, the car might still be in the garage! At the start, our team was small, so I covered many operational roles: managing logistics with support from our WRC colleagues from Hyundai Motorsport, organizing mechanic schedules while waiting for our crew chief to arrive, and coordinating workshop implementation. Setting up these foundations was crucial to ensure that, once the entire group is in place, everything runs smoothly and each department can operate efficiently from day one.”

You are one of a still relatively small number of women at the top level of motorsport. How important is that position to you?

“If I’ve made it here, it means anyone who truly wants it can too. When I started in motorsport in 2014, there were far fewer women than today, so the growth we see now is really positive. For me, it’s essential to show that you don’t need to change who you are to succeed — you don’t have to act like a man. Just do your job and do it well.”

How can you promote women in motorsport from your role with Genesis Magma Racing?

“I love sharing my experience — if it can help others, I’m always happy to do so. At Genesis Magma Racing, we actively encourage female candidates to apply. Once the team structure is complete, we plan to collaborate with the Korean national federation and the FIA to develop initiatives supporting women in motorsport. Beyond the sport, I stay connected with my university and speak at student conferences each year to spread awareness more widely. Genesis Magma Racing is also launching a social project aimed at opening doors for people around the world.”

LE CASTELLET, France, Oct. 28, 2025 — Third place at the 4 Hours of Portimão ended a highly successful first season of racing for the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program. The result for drivers Jamie Chadwick, Mathys Jaubert and Dani Juncadella secured third in the LMP2 championship, capping a year which has exceeded expectations.

Trajectory Program Success Proves Wisdom of Disruptive Decisions

The Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program was created with the aim of readying the team to enter the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026. Alongside the trio of drivers, up to 17 Genesis Magma Racing team members have joined the IDEC Sport-run team in the European Le Mans Series, rising to 30 for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.

Among that number were engineers, including Race Engineers and Strategists, who will work together on the WEC pitwall in 2026. The ELMS season gave them an opportunity to work together, gaining the experience needed to succeed in endurance racing. Mechanics, many of whom joined the Trajectory Program from Hyundai Motorsport’s FIA World Rally Championship team, joined the pit crew for the ELMS season, while support staff were able to experience the unique requirements and atmosphere of endurance racing.

On track, the Trajectory Program gained immediate results with class victory at the ELMS season opener in Barcelona and overall success at Le Castellet. Though never the explicit aim, or expectation, the wins were evidence of the program’s true goals being achieved.

“Since the beginning of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program, we targeted top five results, and challenging for podiums,” said Genesis Magma Racing Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini. “We have far exceeded that with three race wins from six races and some other great individual and team performances.”

The results justified the brave decision made by Genesis Magma Racing to look outside of Prototype and endurance racing when building its Trajectory Program. “To be as successful as we want,” said Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul, “we need to be disruptive in our decisions. That is exactly how we went into selecting our Trajectory drivers. Their success has shown that this approach can deliver results and surprise the established teams and drivers.”

After A Successful 2025, Trajectory Program Members Step Forward in 2026

The promotion of Jaubert and Juncadella to Genesis Magma Racing’s driver lineup for the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) underlined the success of the first year of the Trajectory Program when they were announced as part of team in September.

“A key point of the Trajectory Program for our drivers was to assess them and see whether they were at the level to step up to WEC,” explained Tarquini. “We immediately saw the potential from the first tests. The results on track and, more importantly, the progress they made every round was great to see and made it an easy decision to welcome Mathys and Dani to our WEC team for 2026.”

They will be joined in the WEC paddock by many of the Genesis Magma Racing staff members who joined them on the Trajectory Program with the team spirit built during 2025 set to be the foundation of the 2026 squad.

Jamie Chadwick will remain part of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program for 2026. She has shown significant improvement over the course of her first full season in Prototype racing, especially in her management and awareness of tires and fuel across her stint, and her racecraft around the traffic caused by lapping lower-class cars.

Chadwick will make the next step on her own trajectory, taking on some of the development work for the GMR-001 Hypercar, including participating in tests this year and throughout the 2026 season She will also continue to compete in the LMP2 class of the European Le Mans Series. Full details of her racing program for 2026 will be announced at a later date.

LE CASTELLET, France, Oct. 18, 2025 — Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program drivers Jamie Chadwick, Mathys Jaubert and Dani Juncadella ended the 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) season with a third-place finish at the 4 Hours of Portimão. 

Drivers Put Experience to Use to Score Finale Podium 

The team entered the finale weekend in contention for the LMP2 class title and showed strong pace during the preparations for the race. The potential of the drivers, and the #18 IDEC Sport-run ORECA 07, was shown in qualifying when Jaubert set the second-fastest lap, giving the team their first front row start of the season. 

Starting the race, Chadwick showed the value of the year’s experience to make a pair of opportunistic moves to hold a position in the top five. She also wisely kept out of potentially costly trouble, handing over to Juncadella after nearly 90 minutes of racing. The Spaniard made the most of four fresh tires to climb from fifth to third in his stint, before Jaubert took to the track for the final part of the race in second place. 

He was able to make up some time on the leader but could not close the gap to mount a challenge. In a final attempt to make up ground during the final 30 minutes he opted to save fuel and tires to potentially gain an advantage in the event of a late Safety Car. However, the final part of the race ran uninterrupted, leaving him to cross the line third. 

The result was their fourth podium in six races — following wins at Barcelona, Le Castellet and Silverstone — completing an excellent season for the entire team, which included up to 17 engineers, mechanics and support staff from Genesis Magma Racing. 

Race and Championship Results Exceed Trajectory Program Targets 

The podium result confirmed the drivers and team in third place in the LMP2 class championship, an excellent result for three drivers in the first full season of Prototype racing. 

Though never the main target for the Trajectory Program, the results on track were proof of the execution of the central aim of the entry into the European Le Mans Series: for both drivers and team to gain experience of endurance racing and learn what is required to succeed in preparation for Genesis Magma Racing’s entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026. 

Winning half of the season’s six races for the LMP2 class title up until the final round exceeded the initial targets of the Program. Most important, however, was the clear progress made by all three drivers during the season, with all three recognizing their improvement from race to race in both how they handled on-track situations and worked with the team between sessions and events. 

Post Race Quotes – #18 IDEC Sport ORECA 07 

Jamie Chadwick said: “I gained some places but also lost some places – it was a bit messy. I wanted to stay out of trouble and bring the car back in a good place. I think I did that, but we didn't quite have the pace today to do what we needed to take home the LMP2 championship. We can look back on the season really positively. Dani keeps saying it, but if you gave us P3 at the end of the year at the beginning of the year, we all would have taken it for sure. I felt like a fish out of water in the first race in Barcelona, but now I’m feeling much more comfortable and able to fight in my stints. So, the progression has been nice, but of course, you want to keep progressing, keep doing more, and hopefully that will come. We've had three wins and some amazing moments. It's been an incredible year for us as a whole team, a lot of learnings. We can be very proud of what we've achieved, even if now it feels a bit bittersweet; I think we can still take a lot of pride in it and look forward to the future.” 

Daniel Juncadella said: “My stint was a bit frustrating with traffic. On one lap I think I lost six seconds with someone that I didn't want to take a risk with. I felt comfortable in the car. Obviously, we were lacking a bit of pace compared to our competitors, but we can be happy with how we executed the whole season. If you told me we were going to finish third in the season with three wins, one podium, after starting with no experience in this car for Jamie, Mathys and I, I would have cut off one leg and half an arm. I‘m very happy and very proud of myself as well in terms of performance. In Barcelona, I didn't feel I was at the level I wanted, and it took me a couple of races to reach there. I think I delivered what is expected from a professional driver and keep growing, and I gained the trust for Genesis Magma Racing for next year in the WEC, so a pretty incredible season, I would say.” 

Mathys Jaubert said: “I was pushing from the first start of my stint because I had Tom Dillmann just behind me that I needed to keep behind me, which I did until the pitstop. For the second part of the stint, I was just trying to save fuel, a bit of plank and a bit of tires, but it was not enough. My teammates made no mistakes, and no penalties, which is very important in this kind of racing. We were hoping for a Safety Car, but it didn't happen. We were fast enough to be in the top three and we finished in P3. The target for the year was to finish regularly in the top five and I think that job is clearly done. My teammates are just amazing and I’m very proud of what we built this year. I'm very happy about the year we did. We improved every race. Personally, I learned a lot in terms of traffic management, and how to speak to the engineer and build a relationship and understanding with them, which is one of the most important things to improve the team and to build the real team spirit.” 

Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul said: “When we began the season with our Trajectory Program in the European Le Mans Series we set our goal to be challenging for top fives and, above all, to be learning at every race, every opportunity. I can happily say we have achieved and even exceeded those targets. The results speak for themselves – three wins and another podium in six races to take third in the championship. What is even more important is seeing how Mathys, Jamie and Dani have progressed through the season, gaining experience in endurance racing and in Prototypes, exactly as we wanted. In addition to the drivers, we have had up to 17 staff members from Genesis Magma Racing working with IDEC Sport at ELMS races this season, experiencing what is needed to succeed in endurance racing. Everyone has worked excellently together all year to make the first season of the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program a success.” 

2025 European Le Mans Series LMP2 Drivers’ Championship
Final Standings:

 
2025 European Le Mans Series LMP2 Teams’ Championship
Final Standings:

As Genesis prepares for the anticipated launch of its first Magma production model, the GV60 Magma, Donckerwolke shares a story that blends innovation, heritage and an evolving definition of a luxury automotive brand.

The Genesis of Magma

For Genesis, the road to Magma was years in the making.

According to Donckerwolke, Magma was born out of a desire to explore new emotionally resonant dimensions within Genesis’ lineup. It started as a test to determine if there was room for a more “emotional Genesis,” one with an “alter ego.”

That idea took shape through the GV80 Coupe Concept in New York in 2023, a project that pushed the boundaries of traditional luxury.

This exploration continued with limited-production projects such as the G80-based edition in Dubai, but the GV60 proved to be the perfect model to officially launch Magma.

“We start with a bundle of energy, which is the GV60. It’s also the youngest product we have in the brand,” Donckerwolke said. “So, it makes sense to start with this one, and then to mature the Magma lineup with different typologies of vehicles.”

This choice wasn’t about convenience. It was about establishing a deeper philosophy and process.

“Magma is always the best of the best of Genesis models,” he said. “It’s the superhero of Genesis; a bionic cocktail between the values of the original model, the donor vehicle and this extra facet.”

Defining Luxury High-Performance

Magma’s approach to high-performance luxury is distinctly nuanced. Unlike most performance models on the market that aim for aggressive, hardcore performance, Magma is defined by balance. Donckerwolke describes it as “rewarding, not challenging.” Instead of feeling like a car that requires its drivers to prove their skill, Magma is designed to complement and enhance its driver’s abilities, making the experience of performance driving feel seamless and empowering.

“It’s coming to a point where you feel you’re surprised by your abilities to drive fast or to drive sporty,” Donckerwolke said. “You have the adrenaline, but at the same time, it’s not challenging you by making you question your abilities,” he explained.

This philosophy is evident in Magma’s design DNA, which aligns with Genesis’ signature principle of “Athletic Elegance.” Here, form doesn’t just follow function.

“It’s a synchronization of form and function,” Donckerwolke said. “Its design should never be overpowering the appearance of the car. It should always be a balance.”

One of the standout features is Magma’s bold orange exterior, a visual statement that reinforces its dynamic character. The fiery hue serves as a symbol of Magma’s extroverted energy and identity, referencing Korea’s volcanic landscape and the unseen molten rock beneath.

A Decade in the Making

While Magma may feel like a natural progression for Genesis, Donckerwolke emphasizes that its introduction was carefully timed. Genesis, now approaching its 10th anniversary, has spent the better part of a short decade solidifying its place as a global luxury brand.

“We are basically doing a hundred years in ten,” he said.

Launching a high-performance model any earlier, Donckerwolke believes, would have been premature.

This patient approach has also allowed Genesis to differentiate itself from performance-based car brands, which embrace a more extroverted, aggressive identity, Genesis Magma offers a more refined and sophisticated take on performance luxury.

“It’s a natural evolution for Genesis,” Donckerwolke said. “Magma injects adrenaline into the brand while staying true to its luxury roots.”

Ultimate Proving Ground

The connection between Genesis Magma Racing and the development of future Genesis Magma production vehicles represents a strategic symbiosis that extends far beyond marketing appeal.

“The DNA of Genesis Magma Racing influences Magma,” said Donckerwolke. “It goes both ways. Magma is also allowing to curate and improve the DNA of Genesis. High performance has some constraints, which allow to make every single Genesis better.”

A racing environment provides unparalleled opportunities for technological advancement. Motorsports is the toughest testing environment you can find in the auto world. The high speeds, aerodynamics, cooling strategies and durability enough to last 24 hours together create a crucible that Genesis can use to further enhance its other models.

This was a core driver in Genesis’ ambitious and fast-paced foray into endurance racing through Genesis Magma Racing, which represents a calculated investment in the brand’s technological future.

“Hyperspeed is linked to the decision making,” Donckerwolke said. “We had this decision in September, and now we are exactly 12 months after that, and we have a car, and we have a team.”  Koreans describe their culture as a fast-paced type of living, or “bbali-bbali” life. “For me,” Donckerwolke said, “this is hyper-bbali-bbali.”

And already the technical innovations emerging from the GMR-001 Hypercar program are influencing the development of production Magma vehicles. The racing program has accelerated development of cutting-edge technologies specifically designed for Genesis models. These new technologies are anticipated to increase agility and performance throughout the Magma lineup in the future.

This approach exemplifies how Genesis leverages motorsport development to advance its production vehicle technologies. The racing program serves as an accelerated development platform where new propulsion systems and performance technologies can be tested under extreme conditions before being adapted for consumer applications. This continuous development cycle is essential for maintaining Genesis’ competitive edge.

A Distinctly Korean Identity

While Magma represents Genesis’ foray into a global high-performance market, its DNA remains rooted in Korean culture. For Donckerwolke, this cultural influence is one of the brand’s most defining characteristics.

“In Korea, customer care, customer satisfaction, is almost in the DNA of the culture,” he said.

This focus on customer experience is reflected in Magma’s philosophy, which prioritizes balance and sophistication over extremity.

“This is why Magma is not a hardcore sub-brand but is actually the best of the best of Genesis,” Donckerwolke said. “It modulates and increases some of the facets of the car without taking the car out of balance. It’s an iron fist in a velvet glove.”

Magma is a higher trim level within the Genesis lineup, proudly carrying the same Genesis badge as the marque’s other models. Unlike traditional sub-brands that are often track-focused and built to push the driver to their limits, the Magma trim is designed to elevate the driving experience by emphasizing comfort, precision, and ease — all while maintaining the versatility of an everyday sports car. Magma redefines luxury high-performance by combining dynamic capability with the refinement, sophistication, and emotional resonance that are hallmarks of the Genesis brand.

The Road Ahead

As Genesis continues to expand its portfolio, Magma is poised to play a pivotal role. Donckerwolke envisions Magma as a key piece of the larger Genesis puzzle, filling in gaps and gradually elevating the entire lineup.

“Magma is about us being able to fulfill customer wishes for individuality and emotionally resonant experiences, while increasing the overall quality of the Genesis brand,” he said. “It’s completing the whole Genesis picture.”

In just 10 years, Genesis has achieved what many brands take decades to accomplish. With Magma, it’s not only redefining luxury high-performance but also positioning itself as a global innovator.

Donckerwolke said, “And with Magma leading the charge, the future for Genesis is limitless.”