Genesis has signed Jamie Chadwick as its reserve driver for the 2026 World Endurance Championship after she completed her first test in the GMR-001 Hypercar.
Chadwick, who was already a part of Genesis’s Trajectory Programme this year, will step up to the role after finishing third in the 2025 European Le Mans Series in an IDEC Sport Oreca 07.
As the team’s official reserve, Chadwick will be responsible for the development work of the GMR-001 and will complete several sessions on track and in the simulator. She will combine the role with a yet-to-be-announced racing programme.
Chadwick becomes just the fifth driver to join the Hyundai brand’s roster ahead of its maiden campaign in the WEC’s Hypercar class in 2026 with its Oreca LMP2-based contender.
Genesis had previously named Andre Lotterer, Pipo Derani, Daniel Juncadella and Mathys Jaubert as part of its race line-up, with the remaining two drivers set to be announced at a later date.
“It’s hugely special to be involved in the development of the GMR-001 Hypercar,” said Chadwick. “It’s another progression in my career and one I’m really proud of.
“Becoming a Reserve Driver in Hypercar is one step closer to my ultimate goal. The opportunity to test and drive more is something that I’m really looking forward to and a role that I’m going to try to relish and make the most of.”
#18 Idec Sport Oreca 07 – Gibson: Jamie Chadwick, Mathys Jaubert, Daniel Juncadella
Photo by: Eric Le Galliot
She added: “The development role can also be a huge help to my racing. Obviously, Hypercar is a step up in terms of everything that you’re learning, but you can still take that back to other categories and series just from the constant testing and working with the engineers.”
Chadwick joined Genesis quartet Lotterer, Derani, Juncadella and Jaubert last week for a three-day test at Magny-Cours, driving the Genesis LMDh in both dry and wet conditions.
Genesis claims she is only the second woman to drive a WEC hypercar, after Lilou Wadoux’s debut outing in a Toyota GR010 Hybrid in 2022 and two recent appearances in a Ferrari 499P.
“My first laps in the GMR-001 Hypercar were amazing,” she said. “It’s a really impressive car and so fast in a straight line. There’s a lot of different systems available to you as a driver, tools that you can use to make a difference.
“Obviously, so much is changing and evolving with every test that the team does, but it’s just a super car to drive, but also just a great team to be part of.”
Genesis sporting director and 2009 World Touring Car champion Gabriel Tarquini described Chadwick as a vital part of the team.
“It’s always very good to have feedback from a new driver who doesn’t know the car at all,” he said. “Jamie has had a fantastic season with our Trajectory Programme in the European Le Mans Series.
“As a development driver for the GMR-001 Hypercar, she will be a vital part of our team for the future in helping us prepare for events and make the progression we will need during our first season.”
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– The Autosport.com Team
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