Genesis Magma Racing to join FIA WEC Hypercar category in 2026

The South Korean manufacturer – the world’s third-biggest carmaker – teased about the new project for its premium brand back in September, and today, 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. An exclusive feature-length interview with the Frenchman will be published on the FIA WEC YouTube channel tomorrow (5 December).

“The launch of Genesis Magma Racing is a momentous occasion,” acknowledged the experienced Frenchman. “As the backbone of Hyundai Motor Group’s global motorsport activities, Hyundai Motorsport will play a vital role in this ambitious programme. We are elevating our circuit racing expertise to a whole new level.”

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.

“This entry into motorsport is a natural evolution for Genesis,” commented Luc Donckerwolke, the company’s Chief Creative Officer. “As we look to push the boundaries of our brand, motorsport allows us to bring the spirit of hyperspeed – which drives how we create and innovate – in a way that aligns perfectly with our core values: Audacious, Progressive and Distinctly Korean.”

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.

“I’m beyond thrilled and thankful to join the Genesis brand for its entry into endurance racing,” enthused the German. “This opportunity is the perfect fit for me to channel my experience, passion and motivation into a new project with a team of highly ambitious individuals. I am excited to start working to build a successful future from the very beginning.”

“The ambition behind Genesis’ endurance racing project and the track record of those involved was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse,” echoed Derani. “As a driver, being involved in something like this from the start is highly rewarding. I look forward to bringing my experience of developing cars and winning titles to the team. It will be a big challenge, but I believe all the necessary ingredients are here to make this endurance journey successful.”

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.

“The GMR-001 Hypercar and our Magma models represent a fusion of Genesis’ performance ambitions with our design-driven DNA,” explained the Belgian. “From the intense orange of Magma, symbolising Korean passion and energy, to the precision engineering behind each component, we are entering a new chapter, where speed meets elegance.”

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.