Toyota Gazoo Racing is ready for Dakar 2025

With focus on a youthful team

Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) is gearing up for the 2025 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia with a formidable six-car team poised to take on the world’s most challenging motorsport event.

Combining the expertise of both TGR and Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA), alongside teams from Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body (TLC) and Hino Team Sugawara, TGR is ready to tackle the 2025 Dakar’s gruelling challenge across the diverse terrains of Saudi Arabia from January 3-17, 2025.

Toyota Gazoo Racing’s entry for the 2025 edition of the Dakar Rally is based on a youthful and dynamic approach.

The team will field rising stars Lucas Moraes, who is co-driven by Armand Monleon, and Seth Quintero, who is co-driven by Dennis Zenz, representing Toyota Motor Europe. These talented drivers reflect TGR’s philosophy of nurturing new talent, offering them valuable experience in the extreme world of rally-raid racing.

Moraes and Quintero demonstrated their promise in the 2024 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), where their combined efforts helped Toyota secure the Manufacturer’s Championship. With the Dakar Rally set to kick off the 2025 W2RC season, the team aims to maintain its momentum and ensure a strong result as it sets its sights on the championship title.

Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa (TGRSA) will play a pivotal role in Toyota’s Dakar campaign. Renowned driver Giniel de Villiers, partnered with veteran co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz, will spearhead a four-car team.

They will be joined by Henk Lategan and co-driver Brett Cummings, Guy Botterill and co-driver Dennis Murphy, and Saood Variawa alongside Francois Cazalet. This youthful energy and veteran expertise position the team as one of the event’s most well-rounded and experienced line-ups.

With six 2025 GR DKR Hilux Evo cars, this line-up represents one of the most versatile and balanced teams assembled for the Dakar Rally. The diverse driver roster, which combines fresh talent with decades of Dakar experience, promises a competitive edge crucial in the race’s high-stakes environment.

GR DKR Hilux Evo

At the heart of the team’s efforts is the 2025 iteration of the GR DKR Hilux Evo, Toyota’s race-proven vehicle that has been continuously refined for 2025. While retaining the core design that has led Toyota to multiple Dakar victories, the 2025 version of the Hilux Evo features several significant upgrades. These include improvements in durability, reliability, and overall performance, all built upon Toyota’s Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement.

The GR DKR Hilux Evo features a twin-turbo petrol engine with 264 kW of power, a six-speed sequential transmission, and advanced suspension systems to tackle the rugged Dakar terrain. With a robust build and extensive safety features, including a 540-litre fuel tank, the Hilux Evo is ready for the gruelling 14-stage race.

Andrea Carlucci, TGR’s Team Principal, said: “The 2025 Dakar Rally represents Toyota Gazoo Racing’s commitment to excellence and innovation. With Repsol joining us as a key partner, we are taking significant strides towards a sustainable future. This year, our team is a blend of youth and experience, which we believe is essential for tackling Dakar’s challenges. The GR DKR Hilux Evo has been meticulously refined, and I’m confident that we are fielding one of the strongest line-ups in this year’s event.”

For Lucas Moraes, the opportunity to race in the 2025 Dakar Rally is both a privilege and a challenge: “I’m incredibly excited to take on the Dakar Rally once again, especially as part of such a strong team.

“The GR DKR Hilux Evo is an incredible machine, and with the latest improvements, I feel confident we have everything we need to compete at the highest level. It’s an honour to represent Toyota and to work with partners like Repsol as we drive towards a more sustainable future in motorsport.”

Seth Quintero expressed his excitement: “Being part of Toyota Gazoo Racing for the 2025 Dakar is a dream come true. Every year, I learn and grow more as a driver; the Dakar is the ultimate test.”

In addition to the TGR and TGRSA entries, the 2025 Dakar Rally will feature teams from Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body (TLC) and Hino Team Sugawara. TLC will compete in the FIA Stock class with two vehicles based on the Land Cruiser 300 GR Sport, while Hino Team Sugawara will race with a vehicle based on the Hino 600 Series.

Hero image: Toyota Gazoo Racing’s entry for the 2025 edition of the Dakar Rally is based on a youthful and dynamic approach. Credit: TGR