The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team is preparing to take on a major challenge during the 2025 edition of the Dakar, which promises to be one of the most difficult in recent years. From January 3 to 12, the competitors will set off for Saudi Arabia for an 8,000 km course, including more than 5,000 km of timed specials. A formidable event which will open the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) season.
An extreme and varied route
The Dakar 2025 promises to be a true test of endurance and navigation. Starting from Bisha, in the southwest of Saudi Arabia, competitors will face varied and demanding terrain. The rally will begin with a prologue on January 3, followed by 12 grueling stages. Among the key moments, the exhausting 48-hour stage at the start of the race and the marathon stage, where the teams will have to do without external assistance.
The second week will be highlighted by the iconic Empty Quarter dunes, renowned for their deep sand and complex navigation. The distances of the special stages will vary from 134 km for the last stage to 606 km for a sixth stage which promises to be particularly formidable. A day of rest in Hail on January 10 will provide a brief respite before hostilities resume.
Six crews for a common goal
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will field six crews, combining experience and youth. Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleón (#203), as well as Seth Quintero and Dennis Zenz (#204), will represent TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Europe. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing South Africa will enter Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz (#206), Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings (#211), Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy (#205) and Saood Variawa and François Cazalet (#218 ).
All will pilot the latest version of the Toyota GR DKR Hilux Evo, improved to maximize reliability, durability and performance in the extreme conditions of the Dakar. These improvements are part of Toyota’s Kaizen philosophy, which strives for excellence through continuous improvement.
Careful preparation
Before departure, the technical teams will carry out a complete reassembly of the vehicles and a careful break-in to ensure their proper functioning. Crews will also have to pass rigorous technical inspections, complying with the Dakar’s strict safety and eligibility regulations.
Pilot declarations
Lucas Moraes: “The 2025 Dakar promises to be one of the most difficult to date. The GR DKR Hilux Evo has proven itself, and with the improvements we have made, we have the perfect machine to take on the challenge. »
Seth Quintero: “The course will be brutal, but that’s what makes the Dakar so special. The GR DKR Hilux Evo is built for these extreme conditions, and the upgrades give us the confidence to push even harder. »
With a demanding course, a strong team and optimized vehicles, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing aims to win the world manufacturers’ title for the fourth consecutive year. The Dakar 2025 will be a test of courage, strategy and resistance, and the team is ready to give everything to shine in this legendary race.
See you in January to follow this extraordinary adventure!
