Genesis Magma Racing Completes Successful Endurance Test of GMR-001 Hypercar
Portimão, Portugal – Genesis Magma Racing has successfully conducted its inaugural endurance test of the GMR-001 Hypercar over three days at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. This test represents a significant milestone in the development of the team’s FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) contender, which is set to debut in 2026.
With daytime temperatures exceeding 30°C, the GMR-001 underwent rigorous assessments during 32 hours of continuous running, pushing its systems to their operational limits. Chief Engineer Justin Taylor emphasized the test’s significance, stating, “The main target is to put miles on the car and see what problems you can generate along the way.”
The driver lineup featured experienced names André Lotterer and Pipo Derani, alongside WEC newcomers Mathys Jaubert and Dani Juncadella, who were making their first appearances in a Hypercar after transitioning from the team’s LMP2 program. Jaubert expressed the thrill of driving the GMR-001, highlighting its advanced power and ease of handling.
Juncadella contributed valuable feedback despite his lack of Hypercar experience, leveraging his extensive endurance racing background. DeRani acknowledged the importance of the test for identifying potential weak points in the car’s construction as they prepare for a demanding 24-hour race next season.
Key performance checks during the test included evaluations of the cooling system under high temperatures and the reliability of the 3.2-liter twin-turbo V8 engine across various Michelin tire compounds. Lotterer noted the effectiveness of newly designed headlights, remarking on their quality and alignment with Genesis’s brand identity.
Both Jaubert and Juncadella’s integration into the Hypercar project has yielded productive insights, as confirmed by Sporting Director Gabriele Tarquini. He praised their feedback and adaptability during the physically challenging Portimão circuit.
The Genesis team will pivot towards performance testing in the coming months, developing calibrations and components ahead of a subsequent endurance evaluation. “Our next tests will focus on performance enhancements,” Taylor concluded. The GMR-001 is set to participate in the opening round of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship.
(Images: Genesis/Drew Gibson)
