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As of October 31, 2024, Genesis Magma Racing is accelerating its motorsport footprint far beyond the iconic Le Mans 24-hour race. Fresh off a promising debut season in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the Korean luxury brand’s racing arm is laying groundwork for a GT3 program and a potential IMSA entry, signaling a long-term commitment to global endurance racing.
The team’s guiding philosophy, captured by the Korean phrase “Ha-Myeon-Dwen-Da” (Anything is Possible), has driven rapid progress since its official launch in Dubai just over 500 days ago. In April, the first GMR-001 LMDh chassis hit the track at Imola, and by June, the No. 19 car completed the 24 Hours of Le Mans—the team’s third-ever race. The orange lava livery sparked a frenzy in merchandise sales, a testament to the team’s growing appeal among discerning French fans.
Now, as the WEC season heads into its second half with the Lone Star Le Mans at Circuit of the Americas, Genesis is already looking ahead. Team principal Cyril Abiteboul emphasized that the GMR-001 is no short-term halo project. “We want to show what our package is capable of doing,” he said. “The decision for an IMSA program is still on track for 2028, and we’re open to partnering with an established team.”
The production side is also benefiting from racing tech. The lava orange Genesis GV60 Magma, launched in the U.S. in late July, incorporates lessons from the track. Next up is the GT3 Concept car, which will bridge circuit racing and highway homologation. While Genesis hasn’t confirmed which GT3 series it will target, the message is clear: “Stay tuned.”
Driver development has been a cornerstone of the program. Brazilian IMSA star Pipo Derani left Cadillac Racing to join Genesis, alongside three-time Le Mans winner Andre Lotterer. Together with chief engineer Justin Taylor—who previously worked on the Ferrari 499P and Cadillac V-Series.R—they’ve pushed the ORECA-built LMDh chassis to competitive levels. “If you’re not pushing the boundaries, you’re not going fast enough,” Derani said.
Lotterer added that the freedom to experiment has been key
