Toyota Dominates Dakar Stage to End 19-Year Winless Streak
Toyota dominated the second stage of the Dakar Rally with a historic top-five lockout, ending a 19-year winless streak as Seth Quintero led the charge in his Hilux.
Toyota delivered a commanding performance on the second day of the Dakar Rally, securing a 1-2-3-4-5 lockout to end a 19-year wait for a stage victory. American driver Seth Quintero led the historic charge in his Toyota Hilux, mastering the 400-kilometer gravel route to AlUla and marking a significant turnaround from the team's disappointing opening day.
Why it matters:
This dominant display signals Toyota's serious intent to contend for overall Dakar victory after years of near misses. The manufacturer's ability to place five cars at the front of the field showcases the depth and speed of their Gazoo Racing program, immediately re-establishing them as a force to be reckoned with in the world's toughest rally.
The details:
- Historic Lockout: Toyota became the first manufacturer since Volkswagen in 2007 to occupy the top five positions on a Dakar stage, a feat that underscores their complete dominance on the day.
- Quintero's Triumph: Seth Quintero took the stage win in a time of 3h 57m 16s, securing the first-ever Dakar stage victory for the Toyota Hilux model.
- Team Tactics: The results were a stark contrast to Day 1, where Toyota only managed two cars in the top 10. Henk Lategan finished second, 14 seconds ahead of last year's winner Yazeed Al Rajhi, while Saood Variawa, Toby Price, and Joao Ferreira completed the top five.
- Tight Overall Race: Despite Toyota's stage dominance, the overall leaderboard remains incredibly tight. Nasser Al-Attiyah, who finished eighth, now leads the general classification by a mere seven seconds over Quintero. The top six drivers are separated by just two minutes.
What's next:
While the stage win is a massive morale boost, the real battle for overall honors is just heating up. With the top six separated by less than two minutes, consistency and navigation will be paramount in the coming stages. Toyota has proven its outright speed, but maintaining this form and managing the immense pressure of the rally will be the true test of their championship credentials.