Blog / 2026

Genesis Magma Racing Takes on the Legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans

The team at Genesis of Smithtown is excited to watch and support Genesis Magma Racing (GMR) as it competes in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the most prestigious and demanding motorsports events in the world.

After showing impressive growth through the opening rounds of the FIA World Endurance Championship, Genesis Magma Racing headed to Le Mans with momentum on its side. The team’s breakthrough came at Spa-Francorchamps, where the #17 GMR-001 Hypercar climbed from 17th on the grid to finish 8th, earning Genesis its first-ever WEC championship points.

Now, the striking GMR-001 Hypercar, wearing its bold Magma livery, will take on the ultimate challenge: 24 hours of racing at the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe in France. The race will test every aspect of the team, from engineering and strategy to driver focus, reliability, and endurance.

Drivers to Watch

Car #17

  • Pipo Derani
  • Mathys Jaubert
  • André Lotterer

Car #19

  • Paul-Loup Chatin
  • Mathieu Jaminet
  • Daniel Juncadella

As Genesis Magma Racing prepares for this historic challenge, there is also a special connection to Long Island’s rich motorsports heritage through Joseph Buzzetta Sr., founder of Competition Auto Group. Before building one of Long Island’s most respected automotive organizations, Buzzetta made his mark as a professional racing driver, competing in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans in both 1967 and 1968. He was also a standout competitor in the Trans-American Sedan Championship, capturing the 1966 Trans-Am Championship and earning recognition as one of America’s top road racers of the era. His racing career helped establish a legacy of passion, performance, and excellence that continues to be reflected throughout Competition Auto Group today. As Genesis Magma Racing takes on the world’s most famous endurance race, it’s especially meaningful for our team to celebrate the connection between Le Mans and the man whose vision laid the foundation for our organization nearly six decades ago.

A Historic Moment for Genesis

For Genesis, Le Mans represents more than just a race. It’s another opportunity to showcase the innovation, ambition, and performance that continue to define the brand. While the team’s goals remain focused on reliability, clean racing, and continued development, every lap completed helps build the foundation for future success.

At Genesis of Smithtown, we’re proud to see the Genesis brand competing on one of motorsport’s biggest stages. Watching Genesis challenge some of the most established names in endurance racing is a testament to how far the brand has come and how bright its future looks.

Key Takeaways

  • Genesis Magma Racing is competing in the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans.
  • The team recently earned its first FIA World Endurance Championship points with an impressive P8 finish at Spa.
  • The GMR-001 Hypercar highlights Genesis‘ commitment to innovation, engineering, and performance.
  • Le Mans will be the toughest test of the season, requiring speed, reliability, teamwork, and endurance.
  • Genesis of Smithtown is excited to cheer on the team and watch the Genesis brand continue making history on the global stage.

FAQ

What is Genesis Magma Racing?
Genesis Magma Racing is the official motorsports division of Genesis, competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Why is Le Mans important?
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is considered one of the most prestigious endurance races in the world and is the ultimate test of a team’s performance and reliability.

What is Genesis hoping to achieve this season?
The focus is on continued development, strong reliability, valuable experience, and building a foundation that will allow the team to compete for even greater success in the future.

As the green flag drops at Le Mans, the entire team at Genesis of Smithtown will be watching, supporting, and celebrating this exciting chapter in the Genesis story.

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