It has been confirmed that Genesis Magma Racing will enter the FIA World Endurance Championship’s headlining Hypercar category in 2026, with a two-car effort backed by Hyundai Motorsport.
The South Korean manufacturer – the world’s third-biggest carmaker – teased about the new project for its premium brand back in September, and, Genesis Magma Racing was officially presented in Dubai, outlining Hyundai’s bold vision for the future of high-performance luxury.
The announcement presages Genesis’ competitive debut, with Hyundai Motorsport President Cyril Abiteboul – fresh from FIA World Rally Championship title glory with Thierry Neuville – set to take up the role of Team Principal.
In committing to FIA WEC, Genesis joins an elite group of manufacturers vying for success on the world’s most prestigious and demanding stage. The move marks a significant milestone for the brand, demonstrating its ability to innovate while maintaining its commitment to luxury and sustainability.
Reigning FIA World Endurance Champion André Lotterer and two-time IMSA title-winner Luis ‘Pipo’ Derani have been unveiled as the team’s first two drivers, and will focus on technical development duties and simulator sessions throughout 2025 prior to going into battle for Genesis in 2026.
Lotterer and Derani will take to the track behind the wheel of the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar – a striking, high-performance prototype that embodies the brand’s ‘Athletic Elegance’ design philosophy. The GMR-001 was developed at Genesis Design Europe under the guidance of Donckerwolke, and heralds a powerful new era for the company’s performance vehicles.
In preparation for its FIA WEC bow in 2026, the team will collaborate with IDEC SPORT to field an LMP2 entry in the European Le Mans Series next season, featuring a promising line-up of emerging talents in the shape of Logan Sargeant (USA), Jamie Chadwick (UK) and 19-year-old Mathys Jaubert (France).
Genesis Magma Racing will consolidate its operations at a permanent strategic base at Circuit Paul Ricard in the south of France, leveraging the track’s proximity to endurance specialists ORECA Motorsport and IDEC SPORT to streamline collaboration.
