Genesis GMR-001 Endurance Test at Portimão: Key Takeaways and Insights
Portimão, Portugal – The Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar recently completed a significant milestone with its first endurance test at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. Over three days, the manufacturer’s confirmed drivers—Pipo Derani, André Lotterer, Daniel Juncadella, and Mathys Jaubert—accumulated crucial data through 32 hours of continuous track time.
Driver Insights and Experience
Juncadella and Jaubert, both making their initial appearances in the GMR-001, noted the car’s impressive handling characteristics. “From the get-go, it was an amazing car,” commented Juncadella. He emphasized the vehicle’s higher driveability akin to GT cars due to its lack of ABS, saying it requires a more nuanced handling technique compared to traditional prototypes.
Jaubert echoed these sentiments, highlighting that the driving experience with the GMR-001 is “closer to a GT than a single-seater or Prototype.” The 20-year-old noted the importance of effective driver feedback for future development as the team seeks to refine the car’s performance.
Veteran Perspectives
Derani and Lotterer leveraged their previous experience with the GMR-001 during the test. Derani remarked on the challenges of running the Hypercar at night for the first time, saying, “There are some things that jump up the order when you are driving at night…it’s been more about critical systems—not comfort.”
Lotterer, a three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, reinforced the importance of reliability and long-term performance assessment during the test. “These tests are the first steps to stress the car over longer periods and learn about all our components because everything is new,” he stated.
Development Focus
The Genesis Magma Racing team, under its Trajectory programme, aims to synergize driver development with engineering insights. Both Jaubert and Juncadella expressed confidence in the engineering team, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in refining car performance.
Derani reported satisfactory progress, noting, “Considering we’ve only done six test days, we’re moving forward quickly.” The team plans to address systems improvements while ensuring the GMR-001 is ready for commercial racing.
Racing Debut
The GMR-001 is slated for its competitive debut at the FIA World Endurance Championship season opener, the Qatar 1812KM, on March 28, 2026. As the team builds on this foundational test, the motorsport community eagerly anticipates the entry of Genesis into the highly competitive Hypercar category.
