Dakar 2025: Toyota Rules The Desert And Yazeed Al-Rajhi Secures Historic Win
The 47th edition of the Dakar Rally reaffirmed its status as the most challenging off-road race in the world, with the spotlight firmly on the car category. Toyota’s dominance stole the show, while several other brands debuted with remarkable performances.
Toyota Leads the Way: Al-Rajhi Makes History
The duo of Yazeed Al-Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk delivered an unforgettable performance, claiming victory in the 2025 Dakar Rally with the Toyota GR DKR Hilux. This victory marked a significant milestone, with Al-Rajhi becoming the first Saudi Arabian driver to win the event.
Toyota’s success didn’t stop there. Henk Lategan and Brett Cumming secured second place, making it a one-two finish for the Toyota GR DKR Hilux and further cementing the brand’s supremacy in this year’s race.
In an impressive debut, Ford M-Sport clinched the third spot on the podium, thanks to the strong performance of Mattias Ekström and Emil Bergkvist. This marked the first time the Blue Oval brand participated in the Dakar Rally, and they left a lasting impression.
Dacia and Ford Face Setbacks
Dacia’s debut in the Dakar Rally also drew attention, with Nasser Al-Attiyah and Cristina Gutierrez finishing in fourth place, the best result for the brand. However, the team faced challenges as Sebastien Loeb, one of the race favorites, was disqualified during the fourth stage.
Carlos Sainz, a strong contender and the 2024 champion, encountered a similar fate. Representing Ford M-Sport, the Spaniard was forced to retire during the third stage after his car sustained irreparable damage in a rollover incident.
Motorcycles and Trucks: Sanders and MM Technology Excel
In the motorcycle category, Daniel Sanders of the Red Bull KTM Factory Team delivered a dominant performance, leading from start to finish and claiming the top spot.
The truck category saw the MM Technology team—comprising Martin Macik, Frantisek Tomasek, and David Svanda—emerge victorious, showcasing impressive endurance and teamwork.
Portuguese Performances: João Ferreira and Others Impress
Portugal had plenty to celebrate in this year’s Dakar Rally, with João Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro achieving eighth place in the main car category. This equals the best finish by a Portuguese driver since 2015, when Carlos Sousa also claimed eighth place.
Gonçalo Guerreiro, in his Dakar debut, delivered an excellent performance alongside Brazilian navigator Cadu Sachs, finishing second in the Challenger category.
In the SSV category, Portuguese duo Alexandre Pinto and Bernardo Oliveira earned a podium finish, coming in third place.
On motorcycles, Rui Gonçalves narrowly missed out on a top-10 finish, ending in 11th place, while Bruno Santos finished in 45th.
Photo Credits: Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Read more at toyotagazooracing.com.