TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) is set to take on the 2025 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the second round of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), which will run from February 21 to 27. The event, known for its demanding dunes and extreme conditions, has undergone significant modifications this year, introducing a new route and an intense Marathon Stage that will test both man and machine over six challenging days.
KIN_2700Toyota heads into the event leading the W2RC Manufacturer’s Championship, having amassed 147 points, giving the them a 32-point advantage over the nearest competitor. The team’s strong showing at Round 1 in Dakar saw Yazeed Al Rajhi and Timo Gottschalk claim an impressive overall victory in their Toyota Hilux, proving the continued competitiveness of Toyota’s rally-raid platform on the world stage.
TGR will field a four-car line-up in Abu Dhabi, featuring a mix of experienced and rising talent. Lucas Moraes and co-driver Armand Monleon; and Seth Quintero and co-driver Dennis Zenz return to action, alongside Guy Botterill, who is partnered with Dennis Murphy; and Saood Variawa, who will race with Francois Cazalet again. All four crews will be competing in the race-proven GR Hilux Evo, a machine designed to conquer the vast landscapes and challenges that form the backdrop for the W2RC season.
UnknownThe 2025 edition of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge will be based in Al-Ain for the first time, moving away from its traditional Abu Dhabi base. The event spans 1,920 km, of which 1,189 km are competitive special stages, featuring over 50% new terrain, ensuring a fresh challenge for all competitors.
The rally opens with a Prologue Stage at Jebel Hafit Desert Park near Al-Ain on February 21, setting the start order for Stage 1. The main event begins on February 22, taking competitors from Al-Ain to the bivouac at Mzeer’ah, where the teams will set up camp for the majority of the rally. Stage 2 loops around Mzeer’ah before the highly anticipated Marathon Stage on February 24-25. During this phase, competitors will be deprived of mechanical assistance and team support as they traverse the remote Al-Qoua region, making strategic race management and vehicle durability crucial. The rally concludes with Stage 5, leading competitors to the finish in Abu Dhabi on February 27.
Unknown-1Of the competing TGR crews, Seth Quintero currently holds 6th place on 28 points, while Lucas Moraes sits in 10th place on 18 points. Saood Variawa is currently 14th overall with 13 points, reflecting a solid learning experience in his debut W2RC season.
M14_4538For Lucas Moraes, this event is a chance for redemption after a tough outing in 2024, where his car was lost to fire while running in a strong position. After a competitive showing at the Dakar Rally last month, the Brazilian is eager to build on his performance and fight for the win. Seth Quintero, who continues his W2RC campaign in only his second season in the Ultimate category, is also looking forward to testing himself against the dunes of the UAE.
The Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge is renowned for being one of the most demanding races on the W2RC calendar, and with a revised route and new challenges, the 2025 edition promises to be as tough as ever. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing enters the event with strong momentum following its success at Dakar, and the team is determined to continue its World Rally-Raid Championship title campaign.
Lucas Moraes: “This will be my second time at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, and I’m coming in with a bit of unfinished business after last year. We were running second overall before we lost the car to fire, so I’m excited to have another shot at this race. The new route looks really interesting, with more variety than just dunes, and I feel much more confident in this terrain now. We’re ready to put up a strong fight.”
Seth Quintero: “I’m really looking forward to getting back into action at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. The dunes here are some of the biggest and most technical we’ll face all year, and it’s a great place to learn and improve. The new Marathon Stage will add another level of difficulty, but that’s what makes rally-raid racing so exciting. The team has done an incredible job preparing the Hilux, and I’m eager to push for a strong result.”
Guy Botterill: “I was delighted to receive the call-up for this race. We had a reasonably good Dakar Rally despite some early setbacks, but were forced to withdraw after a major crash mid-race. For me, racing in Abu Dhabi is a chance at redemption, and may be just the opportunity I need in order to prove my pace on a global stage. The GR DKR Hilux Evo has been fantastic, and I’m confident that we have what it takes to fight for the top positions.”
Saood Variawa: “This will be my first time competing in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge as part of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, and I’m really excited to take on the challenge. The dunes in the UAE are unique and extremely technical, so it will be a great learning experience for me. I’ve already gained a lot of valuable knowledge from Dakar, and I’m looking forward to putting it to the test here. The team has been incredibly supportive, and I can’t wait to get back behind the wheel of the Hilux and keep building on my progress in the W2RC.”
Source: Toyota
