Genesis Magma Racing’s beastly new GMR-001 Hypercar just finished its first full test — and it wasn’t holding back. Across five intense days in late August, the car tore through more than 500 laps at Circuit Paul Ricard, kicking off the journey toward its big FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) debut in 2026.
Shaking Down the Systems
The team’s main mission? Making sure all the big-ticket systems were in sync. The 3.2-liter twin-turbo V-8 hybrid heart of the GMR-001 got a workout as drivers pushed through different software setups, dialing in how the power comes alive on track.
“It’s early days, but things are looking very promising,” said Technical Director FX Demaison. “We’re laser-focused on the software and powertrain right now. With hybrids, there’s a lot to manage — and we’re learning fast.”
First Taste of Performance
While the test was meant to be all about systems, there was already talk of speed. Chief Engineer Justin Taylor admitted, “I didn’t expect we’d already be discussing performance, but here we are. The drivers are giving us exactly the feedback we need — and already thinking about how to make this car quick.”
Drivers André Lotterer and Pipo Derani were all smiles after their first real runs on race tires. “The GMR-001 is well born — natural, instinctive, and fun to drive,” said Lotterer. Derani added, “You never know with a brand-new car, but this feels like a strong starting point.”
Fixing the Gremlins
Of course, no first test goes perfectly. Minor hiccups cropped up, but the team expected them. “That’s why you go testing — to find problems and fix them fast,” Demaison explained. Between track days, engineers teamed up with ORECA to iron things out before heading back on track stronger than before.
The Road Ahead
With lap one in the books, Genesis Magma Racing now turns to the next phase: building race-distance reliability, unlocking more speed, and tightening up their race operations. The road to WEC 2026 is long, but if this first test is anything to go by, the GMR-001 is off to a flying start.