Genesis confirms GMR-001 Hypecar for WEC

Genesis Magma Racing will compete in the top level of sportscar racing from 2026, plus field an LMP2 team

It probably won’t have escaped your attention that the latest raft of Le Mans Hypercar regulations has created some great motorsport, with Ferrari back to winning ways at La Sarthe with the 499P and Porsche doing what Porsche often does and taking championships with the 963. Whether LMdH spec with spec chassis or full factory LMH cars (think Peugeot 9X8, the Ferrari, the incoming Aston Valkyrie), it’s great to see busy grids. From 2026 in WEC and 2027 in the North American IMSA series the starting fields will get larger again, as Genesis is joining elite level sportscar racing with the stunning GMR-001.

Yes, really, Genesis, the makers of quite ordinary luxury cars. And the quite good GV60. Makes more sense that it might initially when you delve in a bit further, as the effort is going to be backed by parent company Hyundai’s motorsport division. That’s the same folk who made the i20 WRC so competitive and, if a very different discipline, does at least mean there’s a lot of expertise to draw upon. Cyril Abiteboul, President of Hyundai Motorsport and the man in charge for recent WRC and TCR success, will assume the Team Principal role for Genesis Magma Racing alongside. Doesn’t bode well for Hyundai in rallying after 2026 (the season it’s currently committed to), but as is often the way with these things. WEC and IMSA likely offer greater visibility of the Genesis brand in key markets.

Because let’s not forget, too, that there’s a range of Genesis Magma road cars in the offing. Makes sense to have a motorsport campaign to run alongside. Worked nicely for Hyundai and N, after all, that now well established as a competitive road and race outfit. Genesis Magma Racing will be supported by IDEC Sport and Oreca, the latter providing a chassis for the GMR-001. A ‘permanent strategic base’ for the Genesis team at Paul Ricard means those companies also involved won’t be too far away.

Concrete details about the car are a little thin on the ground at the moment, Genesis keener to talk about the parabolic line, the confident stance and the Korean-ness of it all. But we do know who’ll be on driving duty for the GMR-001, both during development and in competition. André Lotterer feels like a huge coup for the brand, bringing a wealth of endurance experience to the programme - he’s won a pair of WECs, and Le Mans three times. Luis Derani will be involved from next year in testing the GMR-001, as well as competing from ‘26. There’s no confirmation yet on the 2027 IMSA pilots.

Interestingly, the LMdH car isn’t the only announcement from Genesis Magma Racing, as it will also be competing in LMP2 from next year. Logan Sargeant, Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert will drive for Genesis as it aims to build up endurance experience. They’re all in on this effort, that’s for sure.

“The official launch of Genesis Magma Racing is a momentous occasion,” said boss man Abiteboul. “As the backbone of Hyundai Motor Group’s global motorsport activities, Hyundai Motorsport will play a vital role in this latest ambitious program. We are elevating our circuit racing expertise to a whole new level as we prepare to compete in some of the world’s most challenging series.” Nice to see racing still high on the agenda, right? Hopefully a car that looks as spectacular as the GMR-001 - those Genesis styling cues feel a touch more impactful here - will have a soundtrack to match. Expect to hear more (in every sense) come 2025.