Genesis Magma Racing Impresses on Debut 24 Hours of Le Mans
Genesis Magma Racing marked its first appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a spirited run that underlined the squad’s potential in endurance racing. Trajectory programme drivers Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert joined three-time winner André Lotterer in the IDEC Sport-entered No. 18 LMP2, and their collective effort quickly turned a challenging qualifying into a genuine podium bid. After Wednesday’s session left the crew outside Hyperpole, Chief Engineer Justin Taylor and the team refined the handling through practice, giving the drivers a balanced car for the race start.
Lotterer launched from 14th and carved through the pack during a faultless triple stint, handing Chadwick a place inside the top eight. She extended that momentum with an impressive quadruple stint, while Jaubert maintained the charge deep into the night. When the race reached the halfway point at 04:00, both IDEC Sport entries, including the sister No. 28, fought for podium positions thanks to a Safety Car that had compressed the field.
Misfortune struck just before 06:00 when Lotterer, fresh in the cockpit, lost the right-rear wheel on the Mulsanne Straight and could not continue. The retirement after 206 laps ended a promising run, yet the team will analyse the failure with IDEC Sport to ensure a swift recovery before next month’s European Le Mans Series round at Imola.
Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul had expanded Genesis Magma Racing’s management the previous day, introducing Team Manager Anouck Abadie, Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini, Driver Programme Advisor Mia Sharizman and Commercial Manager Warren Scheckter. Together with Taylor, they guided the crew through its first Le Mans week. More than 40 Hyundai Motorsport personnel in the Trajectory programme also gained trackside experience as they prepare for the squad’s 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship debut.
Chadwick said: “It's been an incredible experience… Obviously disappointing in the end, but still incredible work by the whole team.” Jaubert added: “I’m very frustrated for sure, but at least we have a lot of experience… We were fighting for the podium, so it was a great race.” Lotterer reflected: “It was the race we wanted up until the point where we retired… It was great to be on board and represent Genesis Magma Racing colours.” Abiteboul concluded that the week delivered the exact learning the Trajectory programme sought, promising even greater strength when the GMR-001 Hypercar joins the grid next season.
