It's an understatement to say that Genesis' Hypercar project is intriguing. In and out of the Endurance paddocks. Launched in November 2015, the Hyundai Group's premium brand now offers around ten models – including five sedans, two SUVs and three electric vehicles – compared to four models in 2020, proof of its expansion. It is also present in seventeen markets, including Korea, the United States, Canada, the Middle East, Australia, Europe and China. But it does not intend to stop there and its presence in motorsport – a first! – must help him establish and even build his notoriety.
???????? Genesis Unveils Luxury Performance vision with Genesis Magma Racing, backed by Hyundai Motorsport
So yes, Hyundai Group – which has just won the WRC Drivers' world crown thanks to Thierry Neuville – is arriving in Endurance with the means. And today, the press was invited to Dubai, for a conference given at the foot of the Burj Khalifa tower, this 828 meter skyscraper inaugurated on January 4, 2010 and which today remains the tallest human structure ever constructed.
Should we see this as a symbol of the Korean firm’s excessive ambitions? Genesis thinks big, very big and has the ambition to reach the heavens. The gathering is large, including a good group of F1 journalists from Abu Dhabi where the final of the 2024 Formula 1 season is being held this weekend. And what can we say about the guests: from Cyril Abiteboul to Nicolas Minassian in including FX Demaison, André Lotterer, Pipo Derani, Hugues de Chaunac and even Jacky Ickx, just that.
What did we learn today during our visit to the first city in the United Arab Emirates? The names mentioned above must have given you some clues, or at least made your mouth water, but enough procrastination and let's get to the heart of the matter.
What programs?
In accordance with what we revealed to you, the idea is to field two cars in WEC in 2026 and as many in IMSA from 2027, even if participation in two or three races in the American series the previous year would not be not to be excluded. A progressive introduction that is anything but meaningless.
« This arrival in motorsport is a natural evolution for Genesis, said Luc Donckerwolke, creative director of Genesis. As we seek to push the boundaries of our brand, motorsport allows us to infuse the Hyperspeed spirit – which guides the way we create and innovate – in a way that perfectly aligns with our core values: Audacity, Progress and Korean Distinction ».
Genesis Magma Racing – this will be the name of the team – which has also confirmed that it has established its headquarters not far from the Paul-Ricard circuit, near Oreca and IDEC Sport.
« The official launch of Genesis Magma Racing is a unique event, said Cyril Abiteboul, President of Hyundai Motorsport GmbH and Genesis Magma Racing Team Principal. As a pillar of Hyundai Motor Group's global motorsport business, Hyundai Motorsport will play a vital role in this ambitious program. We're taking our circuit racing expertise to a whole new level as we prepare to compete in some of the toughest series in the world. »
What do we know about the car?
First of all, Hyundai Motorsport took the opportunity to formalize the identity of its chassis partner: Oreca, hence the presence on site of Hugues de Chaunac. An LMDh which will be called Genesis GMR-001, while the team will take the name Genesis Magma Racing.
A car whose lines were revealed today. With precise styling and Genesis' signature Two Lines lighting, the GMR-001 projects a confident attitude on the trail. The elegant, horizontal lights wrap around the front and rear, highlighting the car's aerodynamics. This unique lighting integrates seamlessly with the car's flowing bodywork, emphasizing Genesis' minimalist design principles while enhancing visual impact.
Each body panel has been designed to evoke movement, even when the vehicle is stationary. Smoothly contoured surfaces guide airflow through the bodywork, optimizing aerodynamic efficiency while emphasizing the car's assertive character. The side profile of the GMR-001 is characterized by a wide parabolic line, a Genesis trademark, which transitions fluidly from front to rear.
The GMR-001 was developed by Genesis Design Europe under the direction of Luc Donckerwolke. The car's distinctive black finish and design cues taken from the Magma lineup mark the start of a new era for Genesis high-performance vehicles. The model serves as both a tribute to Genesis design DNA and inspiration for future models, embodying a balance between elegance and raw racing capabilities.
The Genesis Magma Racing logo was also revealed. A logo that is directly inspired by the Korean alphabet, hangulor “Magma” (마그마). It incorporates the consonants “ᄆ,” “ᄀ,” and “ᄆ” as fundamental elements, creating geometric shapes that serve as a dynamic visual representation of the legacy of Genesis. “ The logo harmoniously combines innovation and cultural authenticity, symbolizing the brand's decidedly Korean identity and its bold entry into motorsport ,” Mr. Donckerwolke explained.
Who will be the pilots?
Genesis Magma Racing has formalized the identity of the first two drivers brought to defend its interests, namely Pipo Derani and André Lotterer. Of Brazilian nationality, the first mentioned is a defector from Cadillac, the brand with which he increased his number of victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring to four and his number of titles in IMSA to two. Endurance no longer holds any secrets for him, who has also been seen in the WEC without forgetting nine participations in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
« The ambition of Genesis and the track records of the people involved make this project an opportunity that I could not refuse, he declared. As a pilot, being involved in a project from the start is very rewarding. I'm looking forward to bringing my development experience to the team and chasing titles. Given the competitiveness of the LMDh, the challenge will be significant, but I think that all the necessary ingredients are there for this journey in Endurance to be crowned with success. »
Recently dismissed by Porsche Penske Motorsport with whom he has just won his second world crown, André Lotterer is being offered a magnificent opportunity to continue his career at the highest level. Here too, the experience of the 43-year-old German will be valuable for Genesis Magma Racing. As a reminder, in 13 starts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, André has won three times. It was in 2011, 2012 and 2014, in an Audi shared with Marcel Fässler and Benoît Tréluyer.
« I am very happy and grateful to join the Genesis brand for its arrival in Endurance, he said. After winning the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Championship this year, this opportunity is perfect for me to leverage my work, experience, passion and motivation into a new project with a team of very ambitious people. I can't wait to start working ».
How will Genesis Magma Racing prepare for its arrival in Hypercar?
As we had already told you about, the decision was made to support the entry of an Oreca 07 next year in ELMS in order to discover the horrors of Endurance. And the Korean firm's sights have fallen on the IDEC Sport team.
This explains why the French team has two cars on the entry list for the 2025 ELMS season, revealed yesterday. The opportunity to lift the veil on the identity of Jamie Chadwick's two teammates. These are the American Logan Sargeant, recently fired by Williams F1, and the young Frenchman Mathys Jaubert.
Sargeant, who has already been seen in LMP2, in 2021. He competed in two ELMS races that year on the Oreca 07 of Racing Team Turkey run by TF Sport. Only 19 years old, Jaubert has been competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup since 2023. Author of some brilliant performances, he has – previously – had a good run in karting.
As a reminder, in accordance with what we revealed to you, Jamie Chadwick and Logan Sargent and recently was able to take part in a test session behind the wheel of the Oreca 07, at Paul-Ricard.
