A Trial by Fire in Portugal: Genesis Magma’s GMR-001 Goes the Distance
Images Courtesy Genesis
If there’s one thing you learn from building a Hypercar, it’s that elegance under pressure isn’t born, it’s engineered. For Genesis Magma Racing, three sun-scorched days in the undulating hills of Portugal offered the perfect crucible for trialing their sleek new machine — the GMR-001 — ahead of its FIA WEC debut in 2026.
Over 32 relentless hours at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (Sept. 16–18), the team set out not to polish the car’s form, but to stress-test its function — to find the cracks before competition does. "You're hoping for problems," Chief Engineer Justin Taylor admitted, relishing the chaos that only a brand-new Hypercar can bring. This wasn’t about finesse. It was about mileage, metallurgy, and the occasional mechanical tantrum.
Behind the wheel, the driver rotation was an all-star quartet: veterans André Lotterer and Pipo Derani led the charge, joined for the first time by fresh Hypercar recruits Mathys Jaubert and Dani Juncadella — the latter two graduating from the team’s LMP2 talent pipeline. All four found themselves not just logging laps but living in the car, pulling double and triple stints that tested muscle memory as much as metal.
In 30+ degree heat, the GMR-001’s innovative cooling package — wrapped around a 3.2-liter twin-turbo V8 — was put through its paces. Come nightfall, attention turned to the car’s bespoke Genesis-style headlights. Thankfully, according to Lotterer, “We quickly realized that our lights are very good.” A welcome relief, given that those lights aren’t just for show — they’re what lets drivers push through pitch-black hours at Le Mans.
The aim was straightforward: stress every system to the limit. Suspension, software, tires, powertrain — nothing left unprovoked. Tire wear and stint strategy were scrutinized. Illumination was evaluated. Even cockpit comfort was on trial as the team gathered intel for the gauntlet ahead.
Newcomers Jaubert and Juncadella didn’t just survive — they impressed. Their feedback aligned with the veterans’, reinforcing the team’s technical direction. And with Portimão’s unforgiving layout and brutal elevation changes, their baptism was nothing if not authentic. "It was like I was dreaming," Jaubert said, describing the surreal thrill of his first Hypercar outing.
As for what comes next? Taylor summed it up best: “More performance. More calibration. More pushing.” Because while this test was about survival, the next will be about speed. And Genesis Magma Racing isn’t just here to endure — they’re here to win.
