The fourth stage of the 2025 Dakar Rally was a test of endurance, skill, and resilience as competitors tackled a grueling 415 km special stage through Saudi Arabia’s treacherous terrain. Multiple punctures wreaked havoc among the top teams, but TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings (#211) emerged unshaken, maintaining their overall lead in the iconic rally.
Navigating the Marathon Stage’s Rocky Terrain
The route from Bisha to Alula proved relentless, with sharp rocks turning the stage into a tire-shredding gauntlet. Despite suffering two punctures, Lategan and Cummings showcased exceptional composure and speed, securing the second-fastest time of the day at 4 hours, 31 minutes, and 31 seconds—just 4 minutes and 51 seconds behind stage winners Yazeed Al Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk (Overdrive Racing).
“We had to be really careful in the first 90 km to avoid punctures, but once the track opened up, we could push. It was a blast until we had to ease off due to the flats,” Lategan reflected. Their performance has kept them 6 minutes and 54 seconds ahead of Al Rajhi in the overall standings, a testament to their strategic pacing and skill.
Mixed Fortunes for Other TGR Crews
Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon (#203) were the next fastest TOYOTA GAZOO Racing crew, finishing 10th on the stage. However, three punctures and the need to wait for assistance from fellow competitors cost them valuable time, pushing their stage deficit to 18 minutes and 36 seconds. They remain in fifth overall, now 33 minutes and 25 seconds behind the leaders.
Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz (#206) demonstrated their veteran instincts by managing their pace to avoid further tire trouble. Despite a challenging day that included a delay due to a malfunctioning nut gun, they recorded the 11th-fastest stage time, moving up to 21st overall.
For Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet (#218), opening the stage for the first time presented both an honor and a challenge. Multiple punctures and navigation errors forced the duo to dial back their pace, dropping them to 70th overall.
Meanwhile, Seth Quintero and Dennis Zenz (#204) experienced a particularly grueling day, with three punctures costing them over an hour and pushing them down to 12th in the standings.
Looking Ahead to Stage 5 and Beyond
As the Marathon Stage concludes, competitors must now service and repair their own vehicles before rejoining the main bivouac in Hail. Stage 5 promises no respite, with a 428 km special stage that will further test both man and machine.
After Stage 5, teams will take a much-needed Rest Day in Hail. Here, technical crews will work tirelessly to strip, repair, and rebuild the vehicles in preparation for the rally’s second week, which culminates in the unforgiving dunes of the Empty Quarter on January 17.
Dakar 2025 – A Fight for Glory
With punctures plaguing the competition, the 2025 Dakar Rally remains unpredictable. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing holds a strong position at the forefront, with Lategan and Cummings setting the pace. However, the rally’s volatile nature means every second counts as competitors navigate some of the toughest terrain in motorsport.
Stay tuned as Stage 5 unfolds, bringing new challenges, potential upsets, and remarkable displays of endurance.
Stage 4 Top Performers:
- Y. Al Rajhi / T. Gottschalk (Overdrive Racing) – 4:26:40
- H. Lategan / B. Cummings (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing) – +4:51
- J. Yacopini / D. Oliveras (Overdrive Racing) – +10:45
Overall Standings After Stage 4:
- H. Lategan / B. Cummings (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing) – 23:36:24
- Y. Al Rajhi / T. Gottschalk (Overdrive Racing) – +6:54
- M. Ekström / E. Bergkvist (Ford M-Sport) – +21:40
