Work on the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar, set to race in 2026, is on schedule, reported Genesis Magma Racing team principal Cyril Abiteboul during a press conference at Le Mans where key members of the programme were announced.
Hyundai Motorsport’s engineers are currently working through parallel dyno tests with the engine and drivetrain components. Following a successful test of the combined engine and rear transmission, the team last week began simulation testing, mimicking the strain of multiple laps around specific circuits.
This follows Abiteboul saying back in May that “the first test will take place in August if we’re in line with the plan, and then we’ve already scheduled six test sessions and six circuits between August and the homologation deadline in December.
“During these six sessions, we’ll sometimes have one car, sometimes two, sometimes during the day, sometimes at night, to maximise the opportunity.”
As part of the expansion of Hyundai Motorsport, a new France-based subsidiary of the company has been established as part of the creation of the “Race Base” for Genesis Magma Racing. The facility will be near Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, close to ORECA’s factory, where parts continue to arrive for the building for the first two GMR-001 chassis, destined for development testing.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motorsport will move into a new Headquarters in Offenbach and Technical Centre in Fechenheim, near Frankfurt, which will become the central base for the company’s World Rally Championship and Customer Racing operations. Combined, the French and German premises will cover more than 10,000 square metres for the nearly 300 employees, including around 50 people who will be recruited by Genesis Magma Racing before the end of 2026.
“The expansion of Hyundai Motorsport is essential to create a strong foundation for Genesis Magma Racing and the establishment of a new subsidiary in France is an essential step” said Abiteboul.
“The team is being created from very strong parts. A strong chassis from ORECA, an ideal Race Base location in Le Castellet, an international, experienced team of people from around motorsport and, of course, the best of the influences from Korean culture to drive us all forward at hyperspeed.”
