AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Toyota Gazoo Racing Sets Sights on Dakar Glory Amidst Fierce New Rivals

Harry Stone by Harry Stone
December 18, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Toyota Gazoo Racing Sets Sights on Dakar Glory Amidst Fierce New Rivals

Toby Price and Sam Sunderland are seen training before Rally Dakar 2025 in Dubai on December 2, 2024. // Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202412030507 // Usage for editorial use only //

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.”

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Cadillac F1 stuns fans with jaw-dropping 2026 livery unveiled during Super Bowl ad
Motorsports

Cadillac F1 stuns fans with jaw-dropping 2026 livery unveiled during Super Bowl ad

Cadillac Formula 1 Unveils Dazzling Livery in Epic Super Bowl Ad! In a stunning display of ambition and flair, Cadillac...

by Carl Smith
February 9, 2026
VIDEO – Cadillac unveils stunning 2026 F1 livery: a bold statement at Super Bowl showdown
Motorsports

VIDEO – Cadillac unveils stunning 2026 F1 livery: a bold statement at Super Bowl showdown

Cadillac Shakes Up Formula 1 with Bold 2026 Livery Reveal! In an electrifying announcement that has sent shockwaves through the...

by Redação
February 9, 2026
Cadillac shocks the world with bold two-sided F1 livery debut during Super Bowl reveal
Motorsports

Cadillac shocks the world with bold two-sided F1 livery debut during Super Bowl reveal

Cadillac Shocks the Motorsport World with Daring Two-Sided F1 Livery Reveal! In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through...

by Miguel Cunha
February 9, 2026
VIDEO – Red Flag After Massive Impact: Both Drivers Walk Away From Scary High-Speed Crash
Motorsports

VIDEO – Red Flag After Massive Impact: Both Drivers Walk Away From Scary High-Speed Crash

The Asian Le Mans Series 2026 final was red-flagged after only 18 laps following a heavy off-track incident involving Michael...

by Redação
February 8, 2026

Recent News

Cadillac F1 stuns fans with jaw-dropping 2026 livery unveiled during Super Bowl ad

Cadillac F1 stuns fans with jaw-dropping 2026 livery unveiled during Super Bowl ad

February 9, 2026
VIDEO – Cadillac unveils stunning 2026 F1 livery: a bold statement at Super Bowl showdown

VIDEO – Cadillac unveils stunning 2026 F1 livery: a bold statement at Super Bowl showdown

February 9, 2026
Cadillac shocks the world with bold two-sided F1 livery debut during Super Bowl reveal

Cadillac shocks the world with bold two-sided F1 livery debut during Super Bowl reveal

February 9, 2026
VIDEO – Red Flag After Massive Impact: Both Drivers Walk Away From Scary High-Speed Crash

VIDEO – Red Flag After Massive Impact: Both Drivers Walk Away From Scary High-Speed Crash

February 8, 2026

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

MSports Play Icon
MSports Play
The New streaming service
Download
×
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.