Far from resting on the laurels of our four consecutive manufacturers’ titles, Toyota Gazoo Racing has shifted up a gear for the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC). The title defence will begin at the season-opening Dakar Rally in January 2026 with updated driving crews and a stronger, faster, all-new DKR GR Hilux. Let us introduce you to the line-up.
2026 World Rally-Raid Championship: crews
South African duo Henk Lategan (below right) and Brett Cummings will drive the #202 DKR GR Hilux on the Dakar Rally. The pair came second in the last edition. So they will be aiming to go one better this year as well as improve upon their third place in the overall drivers’ and co-drivers’ championships in 2025.
Henk Lategan: “After our first full season in the W2RC, Brett and I feel more prepared than ever for the next edition of the Dakar. Our goal is to go one better than last year’s result. It’s always exciting to be part of a new project, and we’re really looking forward to seeing what the all-new Toyota DKR GR Hilux can do in full competition trim.”
Rising rally-raid star Seth Quintero (below right) performed remarkably during his rookie season with Toyota. He earned his first stage win as well as an overall top ten position on the 2025 Dakar Rally. This year he will drive the #203 Hilux alongside navigator (and fellow American) Andrew Short.
Seth Quintero: “Dakar 2026 is going to be a strong one. The amount of work we’ve put in the second half of the 2025 season has been truly impressive and I’m excited to implement that to go for the win. I feel fit, confident and ready to take on whatever Dakar has to offer.”
The third DKR GR Hilux will be driven by Toby Price (below left). The Australian is already a two-time Dakar winner on two wheels and competed on four wheels for the first time in 2025 in a privately entered Hilux. Now making his works debut with Toyota Gazoo Racing, Price will compete alongside experienced navigator Armand Monleón, who helped Lucas Moraes win the drivers’ championship for Toyota last year.
Toby Price: “This is one of those pinch-yourself moments in my motorsport career. Dakar at this level is something only a very small group of people get to experience, and I’m extremely grateful to Toyota… and all our partners for making it happen. Teaming up with Armand is incredible: he brings so much experience, and I believe we’re in a great position to take it to the Dakar greats.”
All-new Toyota DKR GR Hilux
The three talented and determined crews will run an all-new Toyota DKR GR Hilux in the 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship. Full specifications of this exciting machine will be released nearer to the start of the Dakar Rally launch event, as it is currently undergoing a comprehensive testing programme. But we can already reveal that it was developed by the same Overdrive team behind the outgoing and multi-title-winning DKR GR Hilux.
As well as refreshed styling inspired by the similarly new ninth generation Hilux, the latest DKR GR Hilux features a new tubular chassis with increased torsional stiffness and reduced weight. It offers improved access to the mechanicals for servicing – a crucial consideration for punishing events such as the Dakar, where fast maintenance can be decisive. The transmission has also been reinforced to better handle extreme loads and contribute to a faster, tougher vehicle. This Ultimate category prototype will initially be run by the works Toyota team before it is made available to privateers in the second half of 2026.
2026 World Rally-Raid Championship calendar
The 2026 W2RC consists of five rounds across four continents. Throughout the season Toyota will again be supported by a committed line-up of official partners. These include energy drink manufacturer Red Bull and renewable energy supplier Repsol.
| ROUND | EVENT | HOST NATION | DATE |
| 1 | Dakar Rally | Saudi Arabia | 3-17 January |
| 2 | BP Ultimate Rally-Raid | Portugal | 12-22 March |
| 3 | Desafio Ruta 40 | Argentina | 24-29 May |
| 4 | Rallye du Maroc | Morocco | 28 Sept – 3 Oct |
| 5 | Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge | United Arab Emirates | 22-27 November |
Learn more: How did Toyota conclude the 2025 W2RC season?
