Genesis Magma Racing is preparing for the first full test of the GMR-001 Hypercar (GMR-001) following the completion of the first car by chassis partner ORECA and a successful shakedown.
Appearing in bare carbon fiber, the car is the first of three-development chassis to be built in the coming months to support the development and homologation of the GMR-001 ahead of its race debut in the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship.
Preparations for first tests underway
Following the installation of the engine, hybrid system and gearbox, along with the successful fire-up of the car last month, ORECA mechanics completed the build before delivering the car to Genesis Magma Racing engineers, who will take the lead in testing the car. As the chassis partner, ORECA will remain part of the long-term project, supporting the development of the GMR-001.
Genesis Magma Racing drivers André Lotterer and Pipo Derani, who will drive in the upcoming tests, have undertaken sessions in the simulator, completing calibration of the virtual model of the GMR-001 and establishing a baseline set-up to maximize the benefits from the first running.
The final preparations for the first full test were completed at a successful shakedown of the car to check the mechanical and electrical systems, which gave both Lotterer and Derani their first chance to drive the GMR-001.
After the initial running, the team will embark on an extensive testing schedule at circuits around Europe, with findings from each test analyzed and applied by the team’s engineers and mechanics at the Genesis Magma Racing facility and confirmed by the drivers’ continuing simulator work.
Genesis Magma Racing technical director FX Demaison said, “Every bit of running we do with the GMR-001 Hypercar in 2025 is extremely valuable. The work in preparation that André 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.”
Finished car brings different strands of development together
The completion and shakedown of the first functioning GMR-001 chassis is the latest milestone for Genesis Magma Racing since the official announcement of the project last December. The progress of the project is continuing according to schedule.
“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.”
In related news, Zenvo Automotive has released the latest episode in its behind-the-scenes docuseries, which examines the development of the vehicle’s Mjølner powertrain. Read the full story here
