Genesis aims to raise its profile before entering WEC
Next season, Genesis is set to join the World Endurance Championship. The Hyundai subsidiary, little known to the general public, will be using motorsport from 2025 onwards to raise its profile.
Hyundai, through its luxury division Genesis, is preparing to fully commit to endurance racing — and perhaps make it its new playground. Next year, the South Korean brand will enter the World Endurance Championship. Already present this season in ELMS with IDEC Sport in the LMP2 category, this will allow the team to become familiar with this new world. Especially since the structure will also be present at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the coming weeks.
For the iconic Le Mans race, an experienced lineup will be fielded, including multiple-time winner André Lotterer. The German will be joined by Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert.
While the 24 Hours will be a true first challenge, the ELMS campaign will allow the team to find its footing before making the leap into the WEC.
Every detail matters
« The idea of jumping straight into the WEC with Genesis Magma Racing in 2026, without any prior contact with endurance racing, quickly became frightening. ELMS is a championship where drivers can show their talent and earn a spot in the crew driving the GMR-001 in 2026, » admits Cyril Abiteboul, the team director.
« It’s also an opportunity for everyone at Hyundai Motorsport to learn endurance racing — its rules, demands, community — and to understand what we need to succeed in the WEC next year. » Because for now, Hyundai’s primary involvement in motorsport remains the rally world, with the WRC at the forefront.
While the ELMS effort is primarily focused on learning, there’s another key aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked: image. IDEC Sport’s LMP2 livery heavily uses the Genesis Magma Racing graphic identity. « When we arrive in the Hypercar category of the FIA WEC next year, we want people to already be ready to support us. For that, they need to know who we are. They need to recognize Genesis Magma and Genesis Magma Racing. » By presenting themselves to the public in this way, fans won’t be surprised or thrown off by the arrival of a bright-colored Hypercar. Because that bold, blazing orange is bound to grab attention.
