In Madrid this Thursday, Repsol and Toyota presented the new sporting and technological project with which they will compete in the upcoming 2026 Dakar Rally, to be held from January 3-17th in Saudi Arabia. The two companies continue to work alongside one another after a successful year, in which they secured the World Rally Raid Championship titles in both the Driver and Manufacturer categories. The strategic alliance combines sporting performance, technological innovation, and a shared commitment to progressing with the decarbonisation of competition.
The event brought the Arabian Desert to Madrid and was attended by executives from both companies, researchers from the Repsol Technology Lab, and the drivers who will compete in one of the most demanding challenges in the world of motorsport.
With two of the DKR GR Hilux vehicles that will compete in the Dakar Rally on display, the presentation served as a platform to illustrate the firm commitment to renewable fuels as one of the pillars of the future of mobility.
On the sporting front, Repsol and Toyota unveiled the two teams that will compete using renewable fuels: Toyota Gazoo Racing W2RC, with Henk Lategan (Brett Cummings as co-driver), Seth Quintero (joined by Andrew Short), and Toby Price (alongside Armand Monleón); and the Repsol Toyota Rally Team, with Isidre Esteve and Txema Villalobos, who will use Repsol lubricants in addition to renewable fuel.
They will be the stars of the 2026 Dakar Rally, which serves as the ultimate testing ground for both companies. Repsol will bring nearly 30,000 litres of gasoline, containing 70% renewable materials, to the competition, with the goal of further developing a high-performance fuel that also protects the engine in the extreme desert conditions. This project has found a technological partner in Toyota, who allowed them to bring one of the Japanese manufacturer’s engines to the Repsol Technology Lab in Móstoles to replicate the real-world demands placed on fuels during competition.
Repsol are driving the decarbonisation of transport with a comprehensive model that combines all solutions for reducing emissions, where renewable fuels are a real and immediate alternative. In Cartagena, the company have the first plant on the Iberian Peninsula to produce 100% renewable fuels on a large scale, and in 2026 will add a second in Puertollano. They have also achieved a technological milestone by producing 100% renewable gasoline on an industrial scale at their Tarragona complex, placing Spain and Repsol at the forefront of energy transition.
Statements
Valero Marín, Managing Director of Customer Repsol
“For Repsol, competition is the best testing ground for innovation. The Dakar Rally allows us to certify the reliability of our renewable fuels under extreme conditions, thanks to our technological alliance with Toyota. Today, we offer 100% renewable Nexa diesel at more than 1,400 service stations and renewable gasoline at more than 20. This is how we bring desert technology to the road, making innovation available to the people and to the future of energy.”
Miguel Carsi, President & CEO of Toyota and Lexus Spain
“Our goal is not only to win races, but to transform the industry. This project reflects our multi-technology strategy—hybrids, hydrogen, electrification, and renewable fuels—to move forward together towards more efficient, accessible, and emission-free mobility.”
Isidre Esteve:
“Having the opportunity to take over a factory car like this is incredible; I’m rediscovering feelings I haven’t felt in years. We’re with the best personnel and in the best conditions, so now we’re off to the Dakar Rally to compete, which is what we’re here for. We first tested Repsol’s renewable fuel with Toyota four years ago, and it was surprising to see that the performance exceeded our initial expectations, so to see that your work also contributes to improving decarbonisation -not only of motorsport but also of mobility in general-, is a source of pride.”
Henk Lategan:
“Let me start by saying that experiencing a collaboration like the one between Repsol and Toyota is truly incredible, as they aren’t the type of sponsor who just put a sticker on the car, provide money, and ask for photos. They are genuinely involved in the sporting and technological project, and that’s an extra source of motivation. As last year we finished second, that means there’s only one step left to take. It’s easy to say, but difficult to achieve. We’ve had a very consistent year, with continuous development of the car, so right now we only have one real objective left, and we’re going to fight for it. We have the speed, the consistency, and the strategy: now it’s time to put it all together.”
Seth Quintero:
“El nuevo Toyota es fantástico y llevamos dos años con Repsol haciendo un gran trabajo, así que el objetivo no puede ser otro que ganar. Pero hay fácilmente 20 o 30 pilotos muy rápidos con opciones de victoria, así que no es nada fácil ni siquiera subir al podio… De hecho, tengo aquí a tres competidores muy duros contra los que tendré que luchar para intentar conseguirlo. Pero durante los últimos años, con Toyota y Repsol, hemos construido una relación muy buena y un coche increíble. He tenido victorias de etapa, pero estoy listo para conseguir el trofeo grande”.
Toby Price:
“I’m really excited to be joining the Toyota Gazoo Racing team and Repsol and to be taking this next step in my career. It’s a dream come true. Sometimes I have to pinch myself in the morning to believe this is really happening. Making the transition from two wheels to four is a huge undertaking, but stories like those of Nani Roma and Stéphane Peterhansel inspire me. The Dakar car is a completely different beast, and we’re making small steps forward thanks to my two teammates, who are a huge help. With all this, I think we can aim for a Top 10 finish, although there are a lot of very fast drivers and the competition is going to be fierce.”
