Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team Debuts Portugal Prologue, Re-energizes Rally Season Preparations

Toyota Gazoo Racing Eyes Championship Title at Rally Raid Portugal

Grândola, Portugal – Toyota Gazoo Racing W2RC (TGR W2RC) reignited its campaign for the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship title as the penultimate round of the 2025 season, the BP Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal, commenced on Tuesday evening. The team is strategically positioned to potentially secure its fourth consecutive manufacturers’ World championship.

Prologue Results and Team Standings

Two enhanced GR Hilux EVO vehicles, specifically designed for durability and performance in challenging off-road conditions, successfully completed the five-kilometre Prologue stage in Grândola. Lucas Moraes and navigator Armand Monleón, coming off a podium finish in Portugal last year, led the Toyota effort, securing second place amongst the Ultimate class contestants, a mere three seconds behind the leading time.

Henk Lategan and Brett Cummings, victors in the previous round held in South Africa this May, participated in their first W2RC event on European soil, achieving a commendable fourth position in the Ultimate class with their #202 GR Hilux EVO.

Seth Quintero and Andrew Short, debuting as a team in a W2RC competition, faced a setback during the Prologue due to a right rear driveshaft problem. Despite finishing ninth in class, they remain within striking distance of the frontrunners, trailing the leader by only 17 seconds as they prepare for Wednesday’s opening stage.

Championship Implications

TGR W2RC currently holds a significant 92-point advantage over its nearest competitor in the championship standings. A strong performance this week could clinch the manufacturers’ title with one event remaining. The competition for the drivers’ and navigators’ championships is equally intense, with all three TGR W2RC crews positioned as contenders.Lategan and Cummings currently stand second, trailing the leaders by 20 points, while Moraes and Monleón are 25 points behind in third. Quintero follows closely in fourth, 10 points further back.

The Road Ahead: A Grueling 1,413 Kilometers

Competitors will face a formidable challenge over the next five days, navigating 1,413 kilometers of demanding Iberian gravel roads.Wednesday’s stages cover 302 km, while thursday presents the longest leg of the event. A 429 km section from Coruche will cross into Spain, concluding in Cáceres, en route to a service park in Badajoz. Friday will showcase a 308 km stage in the eastern Badajoz countryside, followed by Saturday’s 274 km cross-border raid nearing a service park just outside Lisbon. The rally culminates on Sunday with a 103 km final stage before the awards ceremony in the Portuguese capital.

Position	Bib	Driver / Navigator	Time
1	#200	N. Al-Athtiyah / F. Love (Sandards)	5 minutes 2.9 seconds
2	#203	L. Moraes / A. Monleon (Toyota Gazoo Racing W2RC)	+3secs
3	#240	J. Ferreira / F. Palmeiro (Toyota Gazoo Racing)	+3secs
4	#202	H.Lategan / B. Cummings (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing W2RC)	+5secs
5	#219	S. Loeb / E. Boulanger (Dacia Sandriders)	+7secs
6	#205	JC yacopini / D. Oliveras (Overdrive Racing)	+13secs
7	#206	S. Variawa / F. cazalet (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing)	+14secs
8	#201	Y. Al Rahji / T. Gottschalk (Overdrive racing)	+16secs
9	#204	S. Quintero / A. short (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing W2RC)	+17secs
10	#210	E. Goczal / S. Gospodarczyk (Energylandia Rally Team)	+17secs

Driver Quotes:

Henk Lategan: “It was a very tricky stage. Despite being only five kilometres long, there were many corners, and some were quite tight. There was a lot of dust wich made it tricky to get the line right. it was a decent start. The first few kilometres are done and there is still a long race ahead of us.”

Lucas Moraes: “The GR Hilux EVO was really nice to drive, so thanks to the whole TOYOTA GAZOO Racing W2RC team for preparing so well. Everybody was close, and the pace was very fast. I’m happy to get a good starting position for Wednesday.”

Seth Quintero: “We had a good run going with Andrew and the GR Hilux EVO was feeling really strong. Unluckily, we had an unlucky issue with just over a kilometre to go and that set us back a little bit. It’s better this happened now, and we only lost 17 seconds.”

Understanding Rally Raid Racing

Rally raid events,like the BP Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal and the famed Dakar Rally,are long-distance off-road races that test the endurance of both drivers and vehicles. the courses span diverse terrains, requiring both speed and precision navigation. These events are known for their grueling nature, frequently enough spanning thousands of kilometers and lasting several days.

Did you know? The Dakar Rally, originally known as the Paris-Dakar Rally, was first held in 1978 and has become one of the most challenging and prestigious motorsport events in the world.

Frequently Asked questions about the W2RC

• what is the W2RC? The World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) is a multi-stage off-road rally series sanctioned by the FIA.
• What makes the Toyota GR Hilux EVO special? The GR Hilux EVO is a purpose-built off-road racing vehicle enhanced for durability and performance in extreme conditions.
• How do teams score points in the W2RC? Points are awarded based on finishing positions in each rally, contributing to both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ championships.
• What are the toughest challenges in rally raid racing? Challenges include navigating complex routes, enduring extreme weather conditions, and maintaining vehicle reliability over long distances.
• How important is the navigator’s role? The navigator is crucial, responsible for reading route notes and guiding the driver through challenging terrain.

What are your predictions for the outcome of the Rally Raid Portugal? Do you think Toyota Gazoo Racing will secure the championship early? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

what data points were specifically collected during the Portugal prologue to assess the GR Yaris Rally1’s performance?

Portugal Prologue: A Critical Testing Ground for WRT

The Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) recently concluded a crucial pre-event test, dubbed the Portugal Prologue, serving as a vital re-energizing phase for their preparations heading into the latter stages of the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) season. This intensive testing session, held on challenging Portuguese terrain, focused on optimizing the GR Yaris Rally1 for the unique demands of the upcoming Rally de Portugal. The team utilized the prologue to fine-tune setups, gather crucial data, and ensure peak performance for drivers Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans, and Takamoto Katsuta.

GR Yaris Rally1: Key Areas of Focus During Testing

The Portugal Prologue wasn’t just about racking up mileage; it was a deeply analytical process. Several key areas received concentrated attention:

* Suspension Tuning: Portuguese roads are notorious for their abrasive surfaces and unpredictable grip levels. The team dedicated important time to refining the GR Yaris Rally1’s suspension, aiming for optimal balance between compliance and control.

* Differential Calibration: Mastering the differentials is paramount in WRC. The TGR-WRT engineers experimented with various differential settings to maximize traction on loose gravel and ensure responsive handling through tight corners.

* Engine mapping: Adapting the engine’s power delivery to suit the specific characteristics of the Portuguese stages was another priority. This involved tweaking the engine mapping to enhance both acceleration and drivability.

* Tyre Performance Analysis: Michelin, the team’s tire partner, provided a range of tire compounds for evaluation. The goal was to identify the optimal tire choice for different stage conditions, balancing durability with grip.

Driver Feedback: integral to the Growth Process

Driver input played a pivotal role throughout the Portugal Prologue. Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans, and takamoto Katsuta provided detailed feedback on the GR Yaris Rally1’s handling characteristics, allowing the engineers to make precise adjustments.

“The roads here are incredibly challenging,but that’s what makes it such a good test,” stated Elfyn Evans during the prologue. “We’re able to push the car to its limits and identify areas where we can improve.”

This iterative process of testing, feedback, and refinement is a hallmark of the TGR-WRT’s approach to rally development.

Rally de Portugal Specific Challenges

Rally de Portugal presents a unique set of challenges for both drivers and machines. the event is renowned for its:

* Loose Gravel: The majority of the stages are covered in loose gravel,demanding precise driving and careful tire management.

* Deep Ruts: Years of rallying have carved deep ruts into the roads, creating unpredictable grip and requiring a high degree of car control.

* Large Crowds: The event attracts massive crowds of enthusiastic fans, adding to the atmosphere but also requiring drivers to be mindful of spectator safety.

* Hot Temperatures: September in Portugal can be hot, placing additional stress on both the car and the drivers.

Toyota’s Special Editions & Rally Heritage

Toyota’s commitment to rallying is further exemplified by recent releases like the Sébastien Ogier Edition and Kalle Rovanperä Edition GR Yaris RZ “High performance”. These special editions, unveiled at Rallye Monte Carlo, celebrate the team’s successes and bring a piece of WRC excitement to enthusiasts. This dedication to performance and motorsport heritage is deeply ingrained in the toyota GAZOO Racing philosophy.

Data Acquisition and Analysis: The Core of Performance Gains

The Portugal prologue wasn’t just about subjective driver impressions.The TGR-WRT employed a sophisticated data acquisition system to collect a wealth of information about the GR Yaris Rally1’s performance. This data included:

1. Suspension Travel: Measuring the suspension’s movement to optimize damping settings.
2. Brake Pressure: Analyzing brake pressure to ensure optimal stopping power and balance.
3. Engine Parameters: Monitoring engine performance to maximize power and efficiency.
4. G-Force Readings: Assessing the forces acting on the car to understand its handling limits.

This data was then meticulously analyzed by the team’s engineers, providing valuable insights into the car’s behavior and guiding further development efforts.

Looking Ahead: championship Implications

The Portugal Prologue represents a critical step in the TGR-WRT’s quest for championship glory. With the season reaching its climax, every detail matters. The data and insights gained during this intensive testing session will undoubtedly prove invaluable as the team battles for victory in Rally de Portugal and beyond. The team’s focus remains on maximizing the potential of the GR Yaris Rally1 and delivering consistent, competitive performances throughout the remainder of the WRC season.