Jacky Ickx supports Genesis Magma Racing: entry into the 2026 WEC
Image source: By Oleg Yunakov, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=163990410
The South Korean luxury brand Genesis has taken a significant step into international motorsport by founding the Genesis Magma Racing team. This ambitious project is supported by motorsport legend Jacky Ickx, who acts as technical advisor and brand ambassador.
Genesis Magma Racing: New paths in endurance racing
Genesis, a subsidiary brand of Hyundai, is planning to enter the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) from the 2026 season. The newly founded Genesis Magma Racing team will use the GMR-001 Hypercar , which was developed in collaboration with the renowned French racing car manufacturer Oreca. The vehicle complies with LMDh regulations and is intended for use in both the WEC and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The GMR-001 is characterized by a striking design with the characteristic "Two-Line" lighting from Genesis, which extends horizontally across the front and rear. A flat underbody and targeted air intakes ensure optimum aerodynamic efficiency and thermal performance. The Hypercar is powered by a newly developed V8 biturbo hybrid engine, the exact performance data of which have not yet been published.
Jacky Ickx: A legend returns
The 80-year-old Belgian Jacky Ickx, six-time Le Mans winner and former Formula 1 driver, is contributing his decades of experience to the Genesis project. For Ickx, the commitment to Genesis offers the opportunity to be involved in a new motorsport project from the ground up. "Challenges are the key to life. If everything is easy, what's the attraction?" said Ickx, explaining his motivation for working with Genesis.
Ickx emphasizes the importance of a strong team behind the scenes: "Drivers are always in the spotlight, but underneath there is a large group of people who you never see, but who do the real work." His role at Genesis includes providing technical advice as well as supporting the team in the development of the GMR-001.
Driver duo: André Lotterer and Pipo Derani
Experienced long-distance drivers André Lotterer and Pipo Derani have been engaged for the development and subsequent use of the GMR-001. Both drivers have extensive experience from the WEC and other international racing series and will make a significant contribution to the competitiveness of the Genesis team.
In a video about the collaboration between Jacky Ickx and Genesis
Source: Genesis Europe Youtube
Outlook: Genesis in the WEC and IMSA
Genesis plans to compete with the GMR-001 in the WEC from 2026 and also in the North American IMSA series from 2027. Until then, the team will carry out intensive testing and development work to prepare the Hypercar for the high level of competition. The combination of innovative design, technical expertise and the support of experienced personalities such as Jacky Ickx gives hope for a promising future for Genesis in international motorsport.
