Repsol Toyota Rally Team driver Isidre Esteve is back in action. Alongside his trusted co-driver Txema Villalobos, the Spanish veteran returns to competition with a refreshed image aboard his Toyota Hilux T1+.
The Rally Raid Portugal — fourth and penultimate round of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) 2025 — will cover more than 2,300 kilometers, including two demanding stages on Spanish soil.
“Starting a new project is always a meaningful moment. Doing it here, in Portugal and Badajoz, with our fans so close, makes this rally truly special for us,” said Esteve.
After completing his 20th Dakar last January, Esteve is already setting his sights on Dakar 2026. The Portuguese event marks the first milestone on this new road to the world’s toughest race — and he is taking it on with renewed energy and determination.
One of the biggest updates this season is the striking new design of Esteve’s Hilux T1+. His car becomes one of the first sporting projects to showcase the new Repsol branding, supported by MGS Seguros, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Spain, and KH-7. Beyond appearances, the Hilux remains a competitive and reliable machine, running on renewable fuel developed at the Repsol Technology Lab — a cutting-edge advantage for endurance racing.
From September 23 to 28, the Rally Raid Portugal will challenge competitors with five stages plus a prologue, stretching 2,374 kilometers — 1,433 of them timed — from Grândola to Lisbon, with two stages crossing into Spain and racing through several towns in Badajoz province.
The entry list promises fierce competition, with 62 cars at the start line, including 35 in the top Ultimate class. Drivers will battle through fast and technical tracks, tight forest lanes, and demanding terrains that will push both skill and stamina to the limit.
“This year the race will be quite different from last season. Coming right after summer, we’ll likely face less mud and drier terrain. In Portugal, the tracks will be very narrow, with trees just inches from the car, while in Badajoz we’ll shift to wider and faster sections. It’s the perfect test to measure where we stand. We arrive with the confidence of Dakar, where we managed to keep pace with the top 20, and now we want to continue growing from there,” Esteve concluded.
With his trademark resilience, renewed ambition, and the roar of the Hilux T1+, Esteve’s road to Dakar 2026 officially begins in Portugal.
Source: Isidre Esteve official press release
Translation by Rally-Raid Network
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