Genesis Magma Racing posts best WEC result with top-10 finish in US

No. 17 GMR-001 finishes 7th for team's best result

Second points finish in North America WEC debut

Both cars complete race; Fuji 6 Hours up next Sept. 27

The Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001 Hypercar No. 19 races at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, during Round 5 of the FIA WEC, the Lone Star Le Mans. [Genesis]

Genesis Magma Racing, the motorsport arm of Genesis, posted its best result of the season at a World Endurance Championship race in the United States, breaking into the top 10 in its first North American appearance and reaffirming the team's competitiveness in its debut season in the Hypercar class.

The team finished seventh Sunday (local time) at FIA World Endurance Championship Round 5, the Lone Star Le Mans, held at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas — the best result Genesis Magma Racing has recorded since its FIA WEC debut.

After six hours of racing, the GMR-001 Hypercar No. 17 crossed the finish line in seventh place, the team's highest-ever WEC finish. The No. 19 car also completed the race, finishing 15th. Both cars came through without mechanical issues, a meaningful result in terms of reliability as well.

The result gave Genesis Magma Racing its second points finish of the season, meaning the team secured championship points by finishing within the scoring positions. For a new team in its debut season, it also meant accumulating race experience and real-world data at the same time.

The two Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001 Hypercars race alongside competitors during FIA WEC Round 5, the Lone Star Le Mans. [Genesis]

Circuit of the Americas is considered one of the more demanding venues on the WEC calendar. High-speed corners give way to heavy braking zones, and the rough surface makes tire management a constant challenge. Texas's high ambient and track temperatures added further pressure, making vehicle setup and tire strategy decisive factors in the result.

Genesis Magma Racing drew heavily on test data gathered at the same circuit in July, while also refining its car setup and operational approach during the summer break. Experience accumulated through the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 6 Hours of São Paulo translated into more stable race management at COTA.

Both GMR-001s ran on the lead lap throughout the race, maintaining their pace. The No. 17 held its position deep into the second half to secure the team's best finish, while the No. 19 also made it to the flag. Getting both cars across the line in its first North American WEC race is an encouraging sign for the new team heading into the remainder of the season.

The Lone Star Le Mans is the WEC's US round, held at COTA in Austin, Texas, with the name drawn from Texas's nickname, the Lone Star State. This year it served as Round 5 of the eight-round 2026 season and the only American stop on the calendar, making it a pivotal stage heading into the second half.

Heading into the Texas round, Toyota and BMW were separated by just five points in the Hypercar manufacturers' standings, with Ferrari and Cadillac also closing in and tightening the battle for the season's second half. Ferrari's No. 50 car won the race, shaking up the top of the standings.

A Genesis Magma Racing GMR-001 Hypercar races against the backdrop of the Texas state flag during the Lone Star Le Mans at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. [Genesis]

Genesis used the race as an opportunity to raise the profile of Genesis Magma Racing among motorsport fans in North America.

Cyril Abiteboul, general manager of Genesis Magma Racing, said the team had set three goals going into the race: replicating the reliability it showed in São Paulo under extreme conditions, keeping both cars on the lead lap, and scoring points. "Achieving all three objectives is a meaningful result that shows the team's progress," he said.

Lee Si-hyeok, head of the Genesis business division, said the points finish at the Lone Star Le Mans demonstrated Genesis's competitiveness on the global motorsport stage. "We will continue to build on the technology and experience gained through motorsport to further strengthen our position as a global luxury brand," he said.

Genesis's WEC campaign goes beyond racing for its own sake. Endurance races — run at high speed for six or 24 hours — serve as an extreme proving ground for every aspect of a car's performance, from the engine and hybrid system to the brakes, cooling and tire management. The data and operational experience gained in the process can feed directly into future high-performance vehicle development.

Genesis Magma Racing plans to use the data from this race to sharpen both the car's performance and the team's race management ahead of the next round — WEC Round 6, the Fuji 6 Hours at Fuji Speedway in Japan on Sept. 27.

kwater@heraldcorp.com