Genesis Announces Key Hires for LMDh Program

Photo: Genesis

Genesis Magma Racing has announced key hires for its LMDh program, ahead of the GMR-001 Hypercar’s debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year.

Anouck Abadie has been named team manager, while Justin Taylor joins the Korean manufacturer as chief engineer and touring car legend Gabriele Tarquini as sporting director.

The three join the existing team structure led by team principal Cyril Abiteboul and technical director Francois-Xavier Demaison.

“Anouck, Justin and Gabriele are fantastic additions to the Genesis Magma Racing team,” said Abiteboul.

“They all have great experience in motorsport, which will be complemented by additional endurance racing expertise of the other team members we will recruit in the coming months.

“This mix, and the management structure we announce today, will be at the center of the team through our testing with the GMR-001 Hypercar and our race team in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year.”

Both Taylor, who most recently worked for Chip Ganassi Racing prior to a stint with Ferrari AF Corse, and Abadie, have already been integrated into the IDEC Sport team for this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Abadie arrives at Genesis after having served as sporting director at Kessel Racing, while also having previous experience with the FIA.

“The FIA and ACO made a winning bet when they launched the Hypercar category and seeing how many manufacturers joined since then says everything,” she said.

“This new project with Genesis Magma Racing gives us the opportunity to start from a white board, and we can build a strong team of motivated people who share our vision.

“It will be challenging for sure, that’s why it’s even more exciting. I can’t wait to see our car in action on track.”

Taylor added: “Joining Genesis Magma Racing is very exciting for me. Coming onboard in the chief engineer role allows me a chance to develop our team and the GMR-001 Hypercar from the ground up, to be ready for the 2026 WEC season and beyond.”

Multi-time touring car champion Tarquini, meanwhile, moves over from his team manager duties at Hyundai Motorsport’s BRC Hyundai N Squadra Corse squad in the TCR World Tour, where he guided the team to four titles in three years.

“When I stopped racing in 2021, the natural evolution was to work in motorsport, starting in the world I know – touring cars,” said Tarquini.

“I’ve had some very successful seasons, but joining Genesis Magma Racing is a new challenge for me.

“I have a lot to learn about WEC, but I will use all my experience as a driver, a coach and a team manager to be prepared for next season.”

Also announced at Friday’s press conference at Le Mans were Mia Sharizman, who becomes the team’s driver program advisor, and Warren Scheckter who takes up the role of commercial, marketing and communication manager.

Genesis, meanwhile, also announced an expansion of the brand into further European markets including France, Italy, Spain and The Netherlands, in addition to existing networks in Germany, Switzerland and the UK.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John