Toyota Gazoo Racing is gearing up for the 2025 Dakar Rally, which kicks off on 3 January in Bisha, Saudi Arabia. Covering nearly 5,000 miles of rugged terrain, towering sand dunes, and gruelling endurance tests — and more than 3,000 miles of timed stages — the Dakar Rally promises to be a suitably tough challenge for the GR DKR Hilux Evo.
The Dakar Rally also serves as the opening round of the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). After securing the 2024 W2RC Manufacturers’ Championship, Toyota Gazoo Racing aims to maintain its momentum in this prestigious event.
This year’s route features highlights like the 48-hour Chrono Stage and the marathon stage, where teams rely solely on their skills and resources overnight. The infamous Empty Quarter dunes return for the second week, with participants navigating some of the rally’s most challenging sandscapes. The event concludes in Shubaytah on 17 January after 12 demanding stages, including a punishing 376-mile stretch and a brief rest day on 10 January in Hail.
Toyota will field six crews, blending experience with emerging talent. The European contingent includes Lucas Moraes with Armand Monleon and Seth Quintero with Dennis Zenz, while the South African team features veterans like Giniel de Villiers alongside Dirk von Zitzewitz and rising stars such as Saood Variawa partnered with Francois Cazalet.
“The Dakar Rally is always the ultimate test for both the drivers and the cars, and this year’s route looks like one of the toughest yet,” said Lucas Moraes. “From the dunes of the Empty Quarter to the challenging rocky sections, every day will be a battle. The GR DKR Hilux Evo has proven itself time and again, and with the refinements made for 2025, I’m confident we have the perfect machine to take on the challenge. I’m excited to kick off the season and see how we measure up against such a demanding course.”
Seth Quintero added: “The 2025 Dakar Rally is going to be an incredible challenge, and I can’t wait to take it on. The route is brutal, and we know there won’t be any easy days out there, but that’s what makes Dakar so special. The GR DKR Hilux Evo is built for these extreme conditions, and the improvements the team has made give us the confidence to push even harder. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in such an iconic event.”
