Toyota Gazoo Racing SA powers to the Dakar finish as endurance, speed and resilience define 2026 campaign

Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa rolled into Yanbu with dust still hanging in the air and hard earned belief firmly intact, as the 2026 Dakar Rally concluded after 13 punishing stages across Saudi Arabia on Saturday, 17 January.

More than 7,000 kilometres of relentless terrain had stripped the rally to its core. Rocks, dunes, marathon stages, and unforgiving navigation tested every crew to breaking point. Through it all, Toyota Gazoo Racing SA emerged with a stage victory, multiple top ten stage performances, and all three GR Hilux crews reaching the final finish ramp, a statement of durability and competitive intent in one of the toughest Dakars in recent memory.

Saood Variawa, the highest-placed South African driver at Dakar 2026, and Francois Cazalet led the South African charge with a mature and fast-paced campaign that finished in 10th overall. Their rally was underlined by a hard-fought Stage 8 victory and consistent top ten stage times that showed they belonged firmly among the front runners.

It was a result built as much on pace as on perseverance. Punctures, a damaged driveshaft, and time lost in navigation heavy stages ultimately denied them a push deeper into the top five, but the underlying performance was clear.

“It was a very long and tough race,” Variawa reflected at the finish. “This is my third Dakar and my third finish. We had the pace to be in the top five all the time, and winning a stage gave the team confidence again. Some things were out of my control, but I have grown a lot, and the results are starting to show.”

Cazalet echoed that sentiment, describing the top ten finish as a solid return on a demanding fortnight. “Dakar is always tricky and never what you expect. We pushed until the end and did it clean. It is close to our objective from before the start, and we are happy with that.”

For Joao Ferreira and Filipe Palmeiro, Dakar 2026 delivered one of the most punishing chapters of their careers. Repeated punctures and a heavy impact with a rock during the second marathon stage caused extensive damage to the front right corner of their Hilux and cost significant time overall. Yet even amid the setbacks, their speed shone through, capped by a strong seventh place on the final stage in Yanbu.

“The final result is not what the team wanted or deserved,” Ferreira admitted. “But Dakar is tough, and we learn a lot. We still have a full W2RC season ahead, and Dakar 2027 is already around the corner.”

Palmeiro was equally pragmatic. “We fought to make the best result possible. We finished, and that is Dakar. Next time we come back stronger and ready to fight for the victory.”

Guy Botterill and Oriol Mena arguably delivered the most consistent raw pace of the Toyota Gazoo Racing SA trio, regularly running inside the top ten and looking particularly strong in dunes and mixed terrain. Their rally, however, was repeatedly interrupted by punctures, navigation challenges, and late stage incidents, including damage on Stage 12 while running comfortably inside the top six.

“It was a roller coaster,” Botterill said. “We were in the top ten almost every stage and then got caught out by a few mishaps. That is Dakar. The pace is there, the car was strong, and there is a lot to build on.”

Mena added that simply reaching the finish remained a meaningful achievement. “It was not the result we expected, but finishing Dakar is important. This makes us stronger for the next edition.”

Behind the scenes, Team Principal Shameer Variawa highlighted the reliability of the GR Hilux and the effort of the entire squad across two brutal weeks. “The pace was good, and we did not have many mechanical problems, which shows the work the team put in,” he said. “Punctures at critical moments affected results, but everyone gave everything. We take what we have learned and come back stronger next year.”

Toyota South Africa Motors Vice President of Marketing Glenn Crompton summed up the campaign by looking beyond the final classifications. “The results do not necessarily reflect the performance of the team,” he said. “Just finishing a Dakar is an incredible achievement. Continuous improvement and respect for people are critical for us as a brand, and that is exactly what this team showed. We are really proud of them.”

The Dakar Rally 2026 may be over, but for Toyota Gazoo Racing SA, the message from Yanbu is clear. The speed is there. The endurance is proven. And the fight at the front is only just beginning.