Lotterer, Derani Confirmed as First Genesis Drivers

Andre Lotterer and Pipo Derani have been named as the first confirmed drivers for the Genesis Magma Racing LMDh program.

The two pilots were revealed on Wednesday by the Korean manufacturer as part of a launch event for its upstart sports car racing project held in Dubai.

Lotterer and Derani will each contribute to the development of the Oreca-chassised LMDh car, which will be known as the GMR-001 Hypercar, that’s set to debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026.

They both join the project having departed their previous teams, where each of the two contributed to championship success.

Derani joins Genesis after ending a five-year stint with Action Express Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, where he won the top drivers’ title twice and also captured three overall wins in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

“The ambition behind Genesis’s endurance racing project and the track record of those involved was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse,” said Derani.

“As a driver, being involved in a project from the start is highly rewarding. I look forward to bringing my experience of developing cars and winning titles to the team.

“Given the competitiveness of LMDh, it will be a big challenge, but I believe all the necessary ingredients are here to make this endurance journey successful.”

Lotterer, for his part ended his tenure as part of Porsche Penske Motorsport’s FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar squad with a drivers’ world title.

“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.”

Genesis Joins Forces With IDEC Sport for 2025 ELMS LMP2 Entry

Additionally, Genesis also confirmed on Wednesday that it will partner with IDEC Sport to field a LMP2 entry in the European Le Mans Series next year.

As confirmed by Tuesday’s season entry list release, IDEC will expand its presence in the ELMS by adding a second Oreca 07 Gibson in preparation for Genesis’ future racing efforts.

Two-time W Series champion Jamie Chadwick was announced as the first driver, with Genesis confirming that ex-Formula 1 driver Logan Sargent and 19-year-old Mathys Jaubert will complete the lineup in the Oreca.

Chadwick nor Sargent have been confirmed as Genesis race drivers although both along with Silver-rated French driver Jaubert have been labeled as part of Genesis’ “trajectory program.”

The WEC program will be run in-house, although Genesis will utilize the Nicolas Minassian-led IDEC operation for the development of its mechanics and crew next year.