Genesis GMR-001: Hyundai’s LMDh Project Unveiled
Hyundai Motor Company has officially unveiled its new LMDh contender, the Genesis GMR-001, ahead of its anticipated debut in the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season. Draped in a striking grey-black livery with orange accents, the GMR-001 represents Hyundai Group’s first serious foray into Hypercar racing with ambitions to secure a long-term victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The car will make its competitive debut at the season-opening 6 Hours of Imola, providing the first benchmark for the team’s meticulous development programme.
Intensive Testing Programme
Since its rollout at Circuit Paul Ricard in August 2025, the GMR-001 has undergone seven intensive test sessions over seven months, covering a variety of circuits, weather conditions, and endurance scenarios.
| Test Venue | Month | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Paul Ricard | Aug 2025 | Initial rollout, basic systems check |
| Algarve Circuit | Sep 2025 | 30-hour endurance simulation |
| Magny-Cours | Oct 2025 | Wet-weather tyre and traction control testing |
| Aragon | Nov 2025 | Aerodynamic and handling refinement |
| Qatar | Jan 2026 | Tyre warm-up optimisation, high-speed stability |
| Circuit Paul Ricard | Feb 2026 | Software fine-tuning, pitstop rehearsals |
| Imola | Mar 2026 | Pre-season simulation and final preparation |
Veteran drivers such as Andre Lotterer and Dani Juncadella have played pivotal roles, building the programme “from zero” with support from Oreca’s proven chassis technology. The GMR-001 is powered by a bespoke 3.2-litre twin-turbo V8, paired with highly sophisticated in-house software managing hybrid torque distribution and energy deployment.
Driver Insights
Lotterer, who joined the project in December 2024, emphasised the importance of software mastery in LMDh racing: “Software is everything in this championship. You have to master the torque sensors on the driveshafts to stay perfectly at the 520 kW power limit.”
Fellow Genesis recruit Mathieu Jaminet, previously at Porsche, highlighted the car’s precision: “It feels very different — more linear and gives you more confidence. Even within tight LMDh regulations, the GMR-001 has clear strengths.”
Future Outlook
The team approaches the opening Imola race with cautious optimism. Pipo Derani likened the development journey to “climbing Mount Everest,” stressing the importance of operational excellence in pitstops and coordination. Meanwhile, Paul-Loup Chatin noted that immediate dominance would be unrealistic, advocating for steady progress: “I’d prefer a difficult race in Imola, then a strong Bahrain weekend at the end of the year.”
Ultimately, Hyundai and Genesis are prioritising reliability, cohesion, and incremental performance gains, with the first season aiming for consistent finishes and a few podiums as the foundation for future success in the WEC Hypercar category.
