Genesis is going endurance racing from 2026. This news was announced in Dubai earlier today. If you don’t already know, Genesis is the premium arm of automaker Hyundai. It is the Lexus to Hyundai’s Toyota. The Korean company has been competing in the rough and tumble world of WRC where it just clinched the driver’s title. Genesis joining the WEC field adds to the already incredible line-up of automakers that currently compete in endurance racing. This list now includes Alpine, Aston Martin, Cadillac, Peugeot, Porsche and Toyota in the top-flight class.

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The official launch of Genesis Magma Racing is a momentous occasion. As the backbone of Hyundai Motor Group’s global motorsport activities, Hyundai Motorsport will play a vital role in this latest ambitious program. We are elevating our circuit racing expertise to a whole new level as we prepare to compete in some of the world’s most challenging series.
– Cyril Abiteboul, president of Hyundai Motorsport GmbH and team principal of Genesis Magma Racing

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Mounting a Challenge

Andre Lotterer and Pipo Derani are the first drivers named for the new Genesis LMDh program. Reigning WEC champion Lotterer and four-time Sebring 12 Hour winner Derani were name at the official event. The pair will be driving the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar, a newly designed racer that will be run in conjunction with endurance racing specialists Oreca and Idec Sport. There is no mention of the new car’s powertrain as yet.

“I am beyond thrilled and thankful to join the Genesis brand for its entry into endurance racing,” said Lotterer. “After winning the FIA Hypercar World Endurance Drivers’ Championship this year, this opportunity is the perfect fit for me to channel my work, experience, passion and motivation into a new project with a team of highly ambitious individuals. I am excited to start working on this project and build a successful future from the very beginning.”

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Ramping Up

Ahead of a full-on assault at the 2026 WEC season, Genesis will field an LMP2 entry in the 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS). The driver line-up will include former F1 pilot Logan Sargeant, Jamie Chadwick, and 19-year-old Mathys Jaubert. Presumably, the team will be drawing from this team to field a third driver in its lead car alongside Lotterer and Derani. Although, it is not clear yet how many cars Genesis will enter in the WEC and the American IMSA series.