Most motorsport teams dream of setting foot in the Dakar rally and get a podium. Then there is Toyota’s Gazoo Racing team which has gone and WON the Dakar Rally for a second year running - now that is some achievement.
Nasser Al-Attiyah and co-driver Mathieu Baumel defended their crown by claiming the top spot on the podium in the No. 200 GR DKR Hilux T1+. They won the event overall by an outstanding margin of 1hr 20min 49sec.
The Toyota team had even more success as Ronald Basso and Jean-Michel Polato won the production car’s category with the Team Land Cruiser Auto Body (TLC)’s No. 250 Land Cruiser GR Sport.
The GR Team had made a number of improvements to the GR DKR Hilux T1+ after last year’s victory with tinkering done to the car’s differentials, suspension system, and transmission shifting. The onboard software was also updated for it to accept the latest racing fuel and ensure that the vehicle meets the criteria of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA).
Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation and GR Team Founder, commented: “Congratulations to Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mathieu Baumel on winning the overall title for the second year in a row! On the long, tough roads of Dakar, it is very hard to win if you don't have a car that's not only easy to drive, but also reliable and durable. By continuing to challenge the Dakar, the GR Dakar Hilux T1+ will be refined into an ever-better car. Thank you to all the fans for your support!”
“Congratulations to Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto Body, with their tenth consecutive victory in the Production Cars category! Thanks to all the mechanics too! We at Toyota Motor Corporation will continue to make ever-better cars so that Team Land Cruiser Toyota Auto body can drive with even greater peace of mind next year. Let's do our best "together" for an 11th and 12th consecutive victory!,” Mr. Toyoda further added.
Nasser Al Attiyah, commented: “This is an amazing feeling! I have to thank so many people, starting with every member of our team. It was a tough two weeks, but to be able to come back and defend our title is fantastic! I’m really proud of our GR DKR Hilux T1+, and to win the race three times with Toyota GAZOO Racing is truly something special.”
