Genesis Magma Racing is set to make its competitive debut in the 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS), marking an essential first step in its endurance racing journey. The team will be represented by the #18 Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) car, driven by Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert from the Trajectory program, alongside experienced racer Daniel Juncadella. This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with IDEC Sport, is a crucial preparatory phase ahead of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season featuring the Genesis GMR-001 Hypercar.
2025: A Year of Learning and Growth
Genesis Magma Racing’s entry into the ELMS is more than just a competition; it is an opportunity for the team’s engineers, strategists, and mechanics to gain valuable endurance racing experience. With the team’s sights set on debuting in the WEC in 2026, this season will be a foundation-building year, preparing personnel and drivers for the challenges ahead.
For Chadwick and Jaubert, 2025 will mark their first full season in endurance racing Prototypes. The Trajectory program is designed to develop promising drivers, with the ultimate goal of integrating them into the Genesis Magma Racing Hypercar lineup in the 2026 FIA WEC.
“The idea of starting from nothing with Genesis Magma Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026, with no exposure to endurance racing, quickly became very scary,” said Cyril Abiteboul, Team Principal of Genesis Magma Racing. “The ELMS is a place for the drivers to prove their talents and make their claim to be a part of the 2026 GMR-001 Hypercar driver lineup.”
Prioritizing Development Over Immediate Results
While performance and results are always desirable, Genesis Magma Racing’s primary focus in 2025 is the overall development of the team and drivers. Abiteboul emphasized that success will be measured not just in race finishes but in overall progression throughout the season.
“Of course, we want Jamie, Mathys, and Dani to deliver strong results, but more than immediate results, it is the general direction in the course of the season we are interested in,” he stated. “For everyone, this is a year for learning because we selected the Trajectory program drivers with an aim of a potential promotion to Hypercar.”
Chadwick expressed her excitement about the season, saying, “I want to learn as much as possible. The aim is to develop as much as possible as a team and lineup, and hopefully that will pay dividends by the end of the year.”
Jaubert added, “Podium finishes would be incredible, but in endurance racing consistency is key. My main goal is to establish myself as a strong LMP2 driver and contribute to the team’s success.”
Experienced Support from Juncadella and Lotterer
Juncadella, an accomplished endurance racer, will provide guidance to his less experienced teammates. “It’s their first contact with endurance racing. I don’t think I can teach them much to make them faster, but I will help them any way I can,” he noted.
Additionally, three-time Le Mans winner André Lotterer will bolster the team’s lineup for the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, bringing invaluable experience to the squad’s toughest challenge of the year.
Building Recognition for Genesis Magma Racing
Partnering with IDEC Sport allows Genesis Magma Racing to integrate into the endurance racing community and establish its identity. The team’s branding will be prominently displayed on the #18 car, featuring its signature Magma orange color, symbolizing Korea’s vibrant energy. The geometric logo, inspired by the Korean Hangeul lettering for “Magma” (마그마), will adorn the car’s bodywork, ensuring high visibility on and off the track.
Abiteboul highlighted the importance of brand awareness, stating, “When we arrive in the Hypercar class of the FIA World Endurance Championship next year, we already want people cheering for us. In 2025, we need to introduce ourselves to endurance racing fans at every opportunity.”
A Formidable Challenge in a Competitive Field
Genesis Magma Racing enters a highly competitive LMP2 grid, featuring 14 teams in the standard LMP2 category and an additional seven in LMP2 Pro/Am. The field is tightly matched, as all teams utilize the Oreca 07 chassis, V-8 Gibson engine, and Goodyear tires. With multi-class racing also in play, the team’s drivers must adapt to navigating traffic efficiently.
“I think the biggest challenge will be how competitive the series is,” said Chadwick. “All the ELMS races are only four hours, so they will be flat out from start to finish.”
2025 ELMS Calendar: Racing on Legendary Circuits
The six-race 2025 ELMS season will take the team to some of Europe’s most iconic circuits:
- April 4-6 – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain
- May 2-4 – Circuit Paul Ricard, France
- July 4-6 – Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Italy
- Aug. 22-24 – Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
- Sept. 12-14 – Silverstone Circuit, United Kingdom
- Oct. 16-18 – Algarve International Circuit, Portugal
Both Jaubert and Juncadella are particularly excited about their home races, with Jaubert looking forward to competing at Circuit Paul Ricard in front of a supportive crowd, and Juncadella relishing the opportunity to race in Barcelona once again.
Meet the Drivers
Jamie Chadwick
- Birthplace: Bath, U.K.
- Date of Birth: May 20, 1998
- FIA Driver Grading: Silver
- Career Highlights:
- 2024: 7th – Indy NXT Series (1 win, 2 podiums)
- 2022: 1st – W Series (5 wins, 6 podiums)
- 2015: 1st – British GT Championship – GT4 class (2 wins, 6 podiums)
Mathys Jaubert
- Birthplace: Salon-de-Provence, France
- Date of Birth: March 3, 2005
- FIA Driver Grading: Silver
- Career Highlights:
- 2024: 2nd – Porsche Carrera Cup France (3 wins, 9 podiums)
- 2024: 3rd – Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (11 podiums)
Daniel Juncadella
- Birthplace: Barcelona, Spain
- Date of Birth: May 7, 1991
- FIA Driver Grading: Platinum
- Career Highlights:
- 2023: 2nd – IMSA Sportscar Championship – GTD Pro class (3 wins, 5 podiums)
- 2012: 1st – FIA Formula 3 Europe (6 wins, 12 podiums)
Genesis Magma Racing’s entry into the ELMS represents the first chapter of an ambitious endurance racing project. With a talented driver lineup, a strong development plan, and strategic partnerships, the team is well-positioned to make a lasting impact as it builds towards the 2026 FIA WEC season.