Genesis Magma Racing Unveils GMR-001 Progress at Le Mans
Genesis utilised the 24 Hours of Le Mans to unveil its ambitious Genesis Magma Racing project, providing updates on the GMR-001 Hypercar, announcing senior appointments, and confirming the brand’s arrival in France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands from 2026. Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul reported that the GMR-001 has completed a punishing endurance dyno test, pairing its gearbox with a lightweight V8 created by combining two 1.6-litre turbocharged inline-four units derived from Hyundai Motorsport’s World Rally Championship engine. He added that the squad’s new headquarters at Le Castellet, situated near Oreca’s factory, already hosts construction of the first two test chassis. “The expansion of Hyundai Motorsport is essential to create a strong foundation for Genesis Magma Racing,” he said. “The team is being created from strong parts wherever we find them. A strong chassis from Oreca, an ideal race base location in Le Castellet, experienced people from around motorsport, and of course, the best of the influences from Korean culture to drive us all forward at hyperspeed.”
Genesis Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke and Genesis Motor Europe Managing Director Xavier Martinet confirmed that customer deliveries in the new markets will start in 2026. Abiteboul then welcomed Team Manager Anouck Abadie, Chief Engineer Justin Taylor and Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini, who reinforce a structure led by Abiteboul and Technical Director François-Xavier Demaison. Abadie, formerly with the FIA and Kessel Racing, enthused, “This new project with Genesis Magma Racing allows us to start from a whiteboard, and we can build a strong team of motivated people who share our vision. It will be challenging, for sure, which is why it’s even more exciting. I can’t wait to see our car in action on track.” Taylor, fresh from race-engineering roles in leading Hypercar and LMDh squads, added, “Joining Genesis Magma Racing is very exciting for me. Coming onboard in the Chief Engineer role allows me a chance to develop our team and the GMR-001 Hypercar from the ground up, to be ready for the 2026 WEC season and beyond.” Touring-car legend Tarquini brings British, European and World titles, plus the 2018 WTCR crown with Hyundai Motorsport.
In 2025, the outfit will gain frontline experience when IDEC Sport runs Genesis Magma Racing’s #18 Oreca 07 in the LMP2 class. Drivers Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert, both graduates of the Trajectory programme, share the cockpit with three-time Le Mans winner André Lotterer; early victories in Barcelona and Le Castellet have already demonstrated their pace. Fans visiting the Manufacturer Village can inspect a full-scale GMR-001 model wearing a striking Korean-inspired livery that spells “Magma” (마그마) in Hangeul, explore a ten-year brand wall and pick up limited-edition Genesis and Le Mans merchandise. “Anouck, Justin and Gabriele are fantastic additions to the Genesis Magma Racing team,” Abiteboul concluded. “Their experience in motorsport will be essential to the successful operation of the team and car through our testing this year as we prepare to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year.”
