IDEC Sport will continue its partnership with Genesis Magma Racing during the 2026 European Le Mans Series season, with Jamie Chadwick, Valerio Rinicella and Laurents Hörr sharing the team’s #18 LMP2 entry.
The two organisations began working together in 2025 through the Genesis Magma Racing Trajectory Program. That first phase prepared personnel and drivers for Genesis’ entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship.
For 2026, the programme will place greater emphasis on driver development. Chadwick returns to IDEC Sport after finishing third in the ELMS standings during her first season, while Rinicella and Hörr join her in the Oreca 07-Gibson.
IDEC Sport and Genesis continue their partnership
Genesis created the Trajectory Program to prepare its racing operation and selected drivers for its 2026 FIA WEC campaign.
During the 2025 ELMS season, up to 17 Genesis Magma Racing team members joined IDEC Sport. Mathys Jaubert, Dani Juncadella and Jamie Chadwick also took part in the programme as the manufacturer developed its personnel, procedures and endurance-racing experience.
Genesis has now moved its main factory programme into the WEC. However, it will retain the ELMS partnership and use the #18 IDEC Sport entry to identify, support and develop drivers.
Cyril Abiteboul, President of Hyundai Motorsport, confirmed the programme’s revised focus.
“In 2026, the Trajectory Program will focus more on the drivers,” said Cyril Abiteboul, President of Hyundai Motorsport.
The continued agreement also reflects the work IDEC Sport completed during the partnership’s opening season.
Patrice Lafargue, President of IDEC Sport and the IDEC Group, welcomed its extension.
“This partnership has always been built around a shared passion for motorsport. This collaboration is a continuation of that, and I couldn’t be happier. It means that, in some way, we’ve done a good job. IDEC SPORT can be proud!”
Chadwick returns after first ELMS campaign
Chadwick will remain in the #18 car after completing her first European Le Mans Series season with IDEC Sport in 2025.
The British driver finished third in the championship as the team fought for the LMP2 title during its first year with the Trajectory Program. She will now carry that experience into a second campaign with the French operation.
Chadwick highlighted the progress that IDEC Sport and Genesis made during their first season together.
”I am extremely excited to be returning to the European Le Mans Series with IDEC SPORT. Last season was incredible, we were able to fight for the title in our first year, and continuing this adventure with IDEC SPORT and the support of Genesis Magma Racing through the Trajectory Program gives us real momentum. We have built a solid foundation and I am convinced that we can fight at the front again in 2026. I can’t wait to get back with the team.”
Her return gives the new line-up continuity as Rinicella and Hörr begin their programmes with the #18 crew.
Rinicella joins IDEC Sport at 18
Rinicella will make his IDEC Sport debut during the 2026 season.
The 18-year-old Italian joins the team with previous experience in LMP2 machinery and endurance competition. He will now contest the six-round ELMS campaign alongside Chadwick and Hörr.
Rinicella welcomed the opportunity to compete in the championship with IDEC Sport.
“I am really happy to be joining IDEC SPORT in 2026 and to be competing in such a high-level championship. I really enjoy driving the LMP2 and participating in endurance races. I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel and focus fully on the upcoming season.”
IDEC Sport Team Principal Nicolas Minassian also pointed to Rinicella’s early potential when discussing the new line-up.
Hörr adds endurance experience to the #18 crew
Hörr completes the three-driver line-up and brings experience from prototype and endurance racing.
The German driver developed his career through categories including the Michelin Le Mans Cup and already knows his two new teammates. He will now begin his LMP2 programme as part of the Genesis Trajectory Program.
Hörr described the opportunity and the objectives facing the crew.
“Joining IDEC as part of GMR’s trajectory program is an incredible opportunity. I can’t wait to reunite with Jamie and Valerio, whom I know a little bit, and to start the championship in LMP2. I think the three of us make a great team. We know the goals, and it’s up to us to do everything we can to achieve them.”
His arrival completes a line-up that combines Chadwick’s experience with IDEC Sport, Rinicella’s first season with the team and Hörr’s endurance background.
IDEC Sport maintains its driver-development role
IDEC Sport has placed driver development at the centre of its work with Genesis Magma Racing.
Minassian said the team wanted to continue supporting the manufacturer while giving the #18 drivers an opportunity to progress through the ELMS programme.
“I am very happy that we can continue to write history together and with confidence with Genesis Magma Racing. Supporting and participating in the development of young drivers is an integral part of our DNA. That’s what we’re doing with the #18 car, welcoming Jamie back alongside Valerio, who already shows great potential despite his young age, and Laurents, whom we know very well. 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year”
The partnership previously supported Jaubert, Juncadella and Paul-Loup Chatin before Genesis selected them for its wider endurance programme.
Therefore, the 2026 Trajectory Program will continue the same development structure while shifting its main attention towards Chadwick, Rinicella and Hörr.
Genesis shifts from preparation to competition
Genesis will enter a new stage of its endurance programme in 2026 as it begins competing in the FIA WEC.
Abiteboul explained that the manufacturer had moved beyond its initial preparation year but still valued IDEC Sport’s contribution to the project.
“The partnership is evolving, but the partnership continues. It is evolving because we are moving from a year of preparation to a year where we are now fully committed to racing with GMR in the WEC. The challenge for us remains immense, but we are reassured. We feel well prepared thanks to the work that has been done with IDEC SPORT in 2025, both in terms of the teams and the drivers.
Three talented drivers have come out of IDEC SPORT, namely Mathys Jaubert, Dani Juncadella, and Paul-Loup Chatin. In terms of sport, strategy, and marketing, the partnership initiated in 2025 has fully fulfilled its role. It is therefore natural that this partnership is now continuing with a focus on identifying, supporting, and training talent. We have set very clear objectives with the drivers and with IDEC SPORT.
The quality of communication, respect, and mutual trust we have with IDEC SPORT mean that we have built a winning and intelligent partnership from the outset.“
IDEC Sport will begin the new ELMS season with Chadwick, Rinicella and Hörr in the #18 car as the Trajectory Program enters its second year
