Join TOYOTA GAZOO Racing at the 2025 Dakar Rally: A Blend of Innovation and Endurance
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) is gearing up for an exhilarating challenge at the 2025 Dakar Rally with a formidable six-car line-up. The team combines the expertise of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA), TEAM LAND CRUISER TOYOTA AUTO BODY (TLC), and HINO TEAM SUGAWARA, all prepared to tackle the demanding competition.
This year, the Dakar Rally features a dynamic two-part strategy. Representing Toyota Motor Europe, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team includes emerging talents Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon, alongside Seth Quintero and Dennis Zenz. This youthful pairing exemplifies TGR's commitment to nurturing new talent, providing them with invaluable rally-raid experience.
Following their success in the 2024 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), where Moraes and Quintero were instrumental in securing the Manufacturer's Championship for Toyota, the team is eager to continue this momentum at Dakar. As the opening stage of the 2025 W2RC season, ensuring a solid result at Dakar is essential for the team's championship ambitions.
The 2025 Dakar Rally also marks a strengthened partnership with Repsol, a key sponsor for TGR. This collaboration underscores TGR’s commitment to sustainable innovation, with Repsol playing a pivotal role in Toyota's strategy towards carbon neutrality in motorsport. The Repsol logo will be prominently displayed on TGR cars and team apparel, symbolising a shared commitment to advancing sustainable motorsport solutions.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa (TGRSA) will field a four-car team comprising distinguished drivers such as Giniel de Villiers with Dirk von Zitzewitz, Henk Lategan with Brett Cummings, Guy Botterill with Dennis Murphy, and Saood Variawa with Francois Cazalet. The integration of TGR and TGRSA forms a formidable and balanced six-car contingent, blending youthful vigour with extensive rally experience.
Andrea Carlucci, Team Principal, states, “The 2025 Dakar Rally epitomises our dedication to excellence and innovation at TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. With Repsol as a significant partner, we are making substantial strides towards a sustainable future. Our team's combination of youth and experience is crucial for overcoming Dakar's challenges. The GR DKR Hilux Evo has been meticulously refined, and I am confident that we have one of the strongest line-ups this year.”
Lucas Moraes shares his enthusiasm, “It's thrilling to compete in the Dakar Rally again, especially with such a formidable team. The GR DKR Hilux Evo is remarkable, and with recent enhancements, I am confident in our capability to compete at the highest level. It’s an honour to represent Toyota and collaborate with partners like Repsol to drive towards a more sustainable future in motorsport.”
Seth Quintero adds, “Participating in the 2025 Dakar with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing is a dream come true. I develop further as a driver each year, and Dakar presents the ultimate challenge. With Repsol as a sponsor, it’s exhilarating to contribute to advancing sustainable technologies in motorsport.”
TEAM LAND CRUISER TOYOTA AUTO BODY (TLC) will compete in the FIA Stock class with two vehicles based on the Land Cruiser 300 GR SPORT, and HINO TEAM SUGAWARA will compete with a car based on the HINO 600 Series.
The 2025 Dakar Rally will traverse Saudi Arabia's diverse landscapes in January, from desert dunes to rocky trails and expansive plains. Spanning 14 intense stages, the race will test endurance, navigation, and vehicle performance, making a solid start essential for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing's championship hopes.
All six teams will compete in the latest GR DKR Hilux Evo, embodying Toyota’s continuous improvement and reliability ethos. This ensures they are well-prepared for the harshest conditions.
Red Bull, a premier supporter of extreme sports, continues its fruitful partnership with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, enhancing the team’s efforts in Dakar and the W2RC. Meanwhile, Repsol champions sustainable fuels with 70% renewable content, significantly reducing carbon emissions while maintaining high performance, as demonstrated by their presence at over 600 service stations across Spain and Portugal offering 100% renewable fuel.
