The opening salvo of Dakar 2025 set the stage for an exciting rally, with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings (#211) making a dream start to the race on Friday, 3 January. The South African duo not only set the fastest time in the Prologue but also delivered a flawless performance that has signaled their readiness for the grueling days ahead. For Lategan, returning to the Dakar after a year-long absence due to injury, it was a “big sigh of relief,” with the prologue result offering the perfect launchpad for their campaign.
While the Prologue is a non-competitive event and does not count towards overall standings, its significance cannot be understated. The stage determines the starting positions for the first full day of racing, making a strong showing crucial for setting the tone for the weeks to come. Lategan’s confidence was evident as he reflected on their performance, acknowledging the importance of a calm and focused approach: “We couldn’t have asked for better than that. To be first even by one second is an awesome way to start the race.”
Steady Progress for Moraes and Monleon
Brazil’s Lucas Moraes, paired with Spanish co-driver Armand Monleon (#203), impressed with a solid 8th-place finish in the Prologue. Despite being 35 seconds behind Lategan, their measured pace reflects a strategy built on steady progress throughout the event. “It was a great prologue for us; a great first day,” said Moraes. “We were early on the road and managed to finish eighth, so definitely a good pace that we had there.” Moraes is keenly aware that the Dakar is a marathon, not a sprint, and his focus is already shifting to the upcoming challenges: “Now, I hope we can play the correct strategy for the 48-hour Chrono.”
Variawa and Cazalet Show Maturity
South Africa’s Saood Variawa and French co-driver Francois Cazalet (#218) demonstrated a composed performance to finish inside the Top 10, securing 10th place with a time just 41 seconds behind the leaders. Variawa, competing in his second Dakar, showed remarkable maturity in managing the perilous rocky sections, opting for caution when necessary but pushing hard when the terrain allowed. “It was super fast in a lot of places that could catch you out really quickly, but it was a really good stage for me,” Variawa said, adding, “To be in the top 10 was really good.”
Quintero and Zenz Play the Long Game
American driver Seth Quintero and German co-driver Dennis Zenz (#204) finished 15th, 50 seconds behind the lead, following a measured approach. Quintero, making his second Dakar appearance in the GR Hilux EVO, stressed the importance of conserving energy for the more demanding stages that lie ahead. “Today went really well for us, right where we wanted to be, and we’re ready for the next 14 days of it,” Quintero commented. His strategy is clear: “I’m really not planning on racing until the second week…I want to stay in the top 5, top 10 for the first week and then really put it down in the second week.”
Setbacks for Botterill and Murphy
South African duo Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy (#205) were hindered by catching up to a car just 10 kilometres into the stage, costing them valuable time in the dust. Despite the setback, their pace was strong, and they finished in 17th place, 53 seconds behind the lead. “We had a really good run,” Botterill reflected, acknowledging the impact of the dust. “We lost a lot of time in the dust, but it is just an unfortunate product of our current seeding in the race.” The pair remains optimistic, knowing their potential will come to the fore as the rally progresses.
Veteran De Villiers Prepares for Stage 1
Dakar veteran Giniel de Villiers, racing alongside German co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz (#206), rounded out the TGR lineup in 21st place, 1 minute 12 seconds off the lead. The experienced duo faced a tricky Prologue that included high-speed sections and challenging navigation. “The Prologue was not so easy – quite high speed, and in the middle it was a little bit tricky, but very high speed, and lots of trees and rocks that you could hit,” De Villiers said. However, with the Prologue behind them, De Villiers is focused on the challenges that lie ahead: “Tomorrow the real race starts, so we’re looking forward to it.”
A Strong Start for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
With all six TGR crews finishing the Prologue without any mechanical issues, the team is poised for a strong showing as the Dakar Rally shifts into high gear. The GR Hilux EVO proved itself to be a race-ready platform capable of tackling the toughest terrain, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting rally.
Looking ahead, Stage 1 on Saturday, 4 January, will offer a 413 km timed section through rocks, sand, and fast dirt tracks, with only 86 km of liaison. It’s a vital stage that will serve as the true test for the teams as they prepare for the unforgiving 48-hour Chrono that follows in Stage 2.
For now, however, the Dakar 2025 journey is off to an ideal start for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, with a strong mix of speed, strategy, and resilience on display.
