Genesis Completes GMR-001 Shakedown

Genesis has completed the first shakedown on its GMR-001 LMDh car, which will make its racing debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026.

Genesis Magma Racing development drivers Andre Lotterer and Pipo Derani completed their first real-world running at the wheel of the ORECA-chassised machine, having already undertaken simulator sessions to complete calibration of the virtual model and establishing a baseline setup.

An exact location for the shakedown test was not explicitly named by the Korean manufacturer, although it is known that it will conduct its early development work at the Circuit Paul Ricard in the south of France.

“We are at a time, where we seem to be passing milestones every day, but this is exactly what we must be doing,” said Genesis Magma Racing team principal Cyril Abiteboul.

“After planning for and talking about these moments for the last eight months, to be able to see a finished car running exactly as we planned is incredibly exciting.”

“We are also starting the process of moving into the new Genesis Magma Racing facility at Le Castellet.

“The start of testing is the beginning of bringing the different streams of work together – the design and development of the chassis, the design and development of the engine, equipping a workshop and building the team.”

Genesis has confirmed that it plans to construct three development cars ahead of an “extensive testing schedule at circuits around Europe.”

The shakedown follows on from the initial fire-up of the first GMR-001, which occurred last month.

The build of the first chassis was completed by ORECA mechanics, with staff from the French manufacturer set to remain involved in a support role while Genesis engineers take a leading role in the testing program.

“Every bit of running we do with the GMR-001 Hypercar in 2025 is extremely valuable,” said technical director Francois-Xavier Demaison.

“The work in preparation that Andre and Pipo have done on the simulator and during the shakedown means that we have a good starting point for the first tests.

“Working with our chassis partners at ORECA throughout the testing and development, we can quickly take the data from each test, find a solution and validate it to be able to take full advantage of every moment.”