Video: The new Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar successfully completed its first shakedown marking a huge milestone in its motorsport journey ahead of 2026 FIA WEC debut.
The momentous event signals the Korean luxury brand’s determined entry into the elite world of endurance racing, setting the stage for the car’s competitive debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The GMR-001, the first of three developmental chassis slated for construction, made its maiden physical test runs at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France, adjacent to the newly established Genesis Magma Racing base.
The car, initially presented in bare carbon-fiber without any external branding, showcased the team’s meticulous engineering efforts.
The first shakedown was not focused on outright speed but designed to verify the mechanical and electrical systems, ensure proper integration of the powertrain components including the twin-turbocharged V8 engine paired with a hybrid system, and validate the installation of the gearbox.
This careful approach ensures that every element operates harmoniously before subjecting the vehicle to rigorous full-scale testing.
The successful shakedown involved the skills of Genesis Magma Racing’s professional drivers André Lotterer and Pipo Derani, both highly experienced and accomplished in endurance racing disciplines.
Prior to the physical runs the drivers underwent extensive simulator sessions to calibrate the virtual model of the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar, enabling them to establish a reliable baseline setup and provide valuable feedback for engineering refinements.
Their feedback from the initial shakedown is crucial as the team prepares for an intensive testing schedule across various racing circuits throughout Europe over the coming months.
Genesis Magma Racing team principal Cyril Abiteboul emphasized the magnitude of this achievement after months of detailed planning and development.
“We are at a time, where we seem to be passing milestones every day, but this is exactly what we must be doing,” said Abiteboul.
“After planning for and talking about these moments for the last eight months, to be able to see a finished car running exactly as we planned is incredibly exciting. We are also starting the process of moving into the new Genesis Magma Racing facility at Le Castellet.
“The start of testing is the beginning of bringing the different streams of work together – the design and development of the chassis, the design and development of the engine, equipping a workshop and building the team.”
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The shakedown follows the initial fire-up of the GMR-001 last month. ORECA’s role as the chassis partner remains integral to the ongoing development and homologation process while Genesis engineers take a leading role in the testing program.
The newfound race base near Circuit Paul Ricard facilitates relentless development efforts, allowing close liaison between design, build, and test cycles in real-time.
Technical director François-Xavier Demaison underscored the value of every lap completed during the shakedown.
“Every bit of running we do with the GMR-001 Hypercar in 2025 is extremely valuable,” said Demaison. “The work in preparation that Andre and Pipo have done on the simulator and during the shakedown means that we have a good starting point for the first tests.
“Working with our chassis partners at ORECA throughout the testing and development, we can quickly take the data from each test, find a solution and validate it to be able to take full advantage of every moment.”
Genesis’s entry into the 2026 FIA WEC marks a strategic expansion of its motorsport footprint. This follows the official GMR-001 program launch late last year at a high-profile event in Dubai.
The car was also confirmed for IMSA SportsCar Championship‘s GTP class debut in 2027, underlining a long-term vision for the brand in global endurance racing.
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