With fresh competition from Dacia, M-Sport, and Mini, Toyota Gazoo Racing is doubling down on its rally-raid dominance. But as the legendary Hilux DKR reaches the end of its development cycle, can Toyota’s new leadership and strategy secure the edge in the Dakar Rally and World Rally-Raid Championship?
The Calm Before the Storm: Toyota Faces New Challenges in 2025
The saying, “calm seas never make a good sailor,” seems tailor-made for Toyota Gazoo Racing’s (TGR) rally-raid campaign as it prepares for the 2025 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. While Toyota has been the undisputed benchmark in rally raids, winning the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) manufacturers’ title three years in a row and clinching Dakar victory in 2023 with Nasser Al-Attiyah, the game is changing.
New rivals have entered the fray with state-of-the-art machines:
- Dacia and M-Sport have debuted brand-new vehicles.
- X-raid Mini JCW has introduced an enhanced 3.0-liter petrol-powered car.
Meanwhile, Toyota’s once-dominant Hilux DKR is beginning to show its age, prompting changes both on and off the track.
Leadership Overhaul: A New Chapter for Toyota Gazoo Racing
Toyota’s internal structure has undergone a dramatic transformation. With longtime team principal Glyn Hall stepping down and selling his Hallsport business, operational control has shifted to Shameer Variawa’s SVM team.
Overseeing the broader W2RC project is Toyota Motor Europe, where newly appointed Bart Eelen now steers the ship as head of motorsport activities. Andrea Carlucci, the new team principal, is tasked with bridging the gap between Toyota’s motorsport and R&D divisions.
“It’s more complicated than it needs to be, but we all know our jobs,” Eelen admitted.
This revamped leadership is pivotal as Toyota prepares for a more competitive W2RC landscape, aiming to balance its motorsport expertise with lessons learned from its road car development teams in Europe and Japan.
Can the Hilux DKR Hold the Line?
Toyota’s Hilux DKR has been the car to beat in rally-raid events, but as rivals deploy cutting-edge technology, its age is becoming a concern. Despite this, the vehicle continues to deliver thanks to its pairing with generational talent like Nasser Al-Attiyah.
Eelen emphasized that the “DNA of Toyota Gazoo Racing” remains a potent combination of innovation and resilience:
“Gazoo Racing exists to use motorsport as a testing bed for new technologies and as a development ground for people. We’re now focusing on bringing this discipline closer to Toyota’s core brand values.”
The Importance of a Full-Season Battle
While Toyota has dominated the W2RC, most of its success has come from standout performances in marquee events like Dakar and Rallye du Maroc. Eelen argues that this approach isn’t sustainable in the long run, advocating for year-round competition to keep the team sharp and fans engaged.
“Focusing on just one race is super risky. Dakar will always be the pinnacle, like Le Mans in WEC, but a full-season battle against rival manufacturers is crucial for both the championship and Toyota’s development.”
Eelen envisions a calendar where every race becomes a spectacle, ensuring Toyota remains a fan favorite while driving continuous improvement across the season.
The Competition Tightens: Toyota vs. the Newcomers
The arrival of Dacia, M-Sport, and a revitalized Mini JCW team has injected fresh energy into the rally-raid scene. For Toyota, this is both a challenge and an opportunity.
“The rise of new manufacturers is exactly what rally-raid needs,” Eelen remarked. “It pushes us to innovate and ensures the championship gains greater recognition.”
This sentiment mirrors Toyota’s strategy in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), where it has thrived against a growing roster of factory-backed competitors.
2025 and Beyond: A New Era for Rally-Raid
As the 2025 Dakar Rally approaches, Toyota Gazoo Racing is bracing for what could be its toughest season yet. With fresh leadership, a proven but aging car, and a resurgent field of competitors, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
But if there’s one thing Toyota has proven, it’s that its legacy of resilience, innovation, and adaptability is built for challenges like these.
“We’re not just here for Dakar,” Eelen concluded. “We’re here to win the entire season and redefine what rally-raid success looks like.”