Toyota Gazoo’s Seth Quintero and his co-driver Dennis Zenz claimed Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 1 win after being awarded time credit for stopping to assist stranded Laia Sanz.
The American driver secured his his first stage win in the premier class after initially finishing the challenging loop around Bisha that spanned a total of 499 kilometers—second behind the X-Raid Mini of Guerlain Chicherit.
Seth Quintero’s Dakar Rally 2025 Stage 1 win was particularly notable as it came after he stopped to assist fellow competitor Laia Sanz, who had crashed at the 330km mark during the opening stage.
The event organizers recognized this act of sportsmanship by crediting Quintero’s stage time with the 95 seconds that he had lost helping Sanz, ultimately awarding him the win by a margin of 45 seconds over his nearest rival.
The opening stage was characterized by a mix of sand and rocky terrain, presenting formidable challenges for drivers and riders alike. The conditions were compounded by thick dust clouds that hindered visibility, particularly for those starting further down the order.
Despite these obstacles, all six Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux EVOs completed the stage without major issues, showcasing the reliability and performance of the vehicles.
Quintero’s performance was exceptional; he clocked a time of 4 hours, 35 minutes, and 8 seconds after implementing a straightforward strategy—focus on speed rather than tactics. After initially losing time to help Sanz, he quickly regained his pace but fell short of crossing the finish line first.
The Dakar Rally Stage 1 win marked a significant milestone for Seth Quintero, who at just 22 years old is already establishing himself as a formidable contender in rally racing.
Following Quintero was Guerlain Chicherit from the X-Raid Mini JCW Team, who finished second with a time of 4 hours, 36 minutes, and 8 seconds. Chicherit had a challenging run as he navigated through dense bushes that damaged parts of his vehicle but managed to maintain his pace to finish strong.
Saood Variawa and Francois Cazalet, also from Toyota Gazoo Racing, claimed third place with a time just under two minutes behind Quintero.
The performance of other Toyota teams varied throughout the stage. Guy Botterill and Dennis Murphy faced difficulties due to their starting position further back in the pack, which exposed them to significant dust clouds that slowed their progress.
The duo finished in 15th place but remained optimistic about their chances in subsequent stages.
Meanwhile, Veteran driver Giniel de Villiers and co-driver Dirk von Zitzewitz encountered technical issues when their car’s Engine Control Unit malfunctioned, putting them into ‘limp mode’ for part of the stage. Despite losing over ten minutes due to this setback, they managed to finish in 19th place.
In contrast to the car category, the motorcycle competition saw Daniel Sanders from Red Bull KTM Factory Racing claim Dakar Rally Stage 1 win with an impressive time of 4 hours, 41 minutes, and 27 seconds.
Sanders capitalized on his advantageous starting position earned from winning the prologue stage earlier in the week. He maintained his lead throughout the day despite facing tough navigation challenges and fierce competition from other top riders like Ricky Brabec and Ross Branch.
Brabec finished second overall for Honda with a time of 4 hours, 43 minutes, while Branch followed closely behind in third place.
The opening stage proved to be particularly grueling for many riders due to its demanding navigation requirements and tricky terrain.
Notably, rookie Edgar Canet made an impressive debut in the Rally2 category by finishing as runner-up in class and placing 15th overall despite encountering navigational issues after refueling.
As competitors prepare for Stage 2 of the Dakar Rally, they face one of the longest days ahead with a grueling split-stage format that will test their endurance and navigation skills even further.
The first half will cover approximately 947 kilometers before teams set up bivouacs away from their support crews for an overnight stay.
The camaraderie displayed by Seth Quintero when assisting Laia Sanz highlights the spirit of sportsmanship inherent in rally racing—a sport where teamwork often extends beyond team boundaries.
As drivers continue to navigate through unpredictable terrains and challenging conditions over the coming days, it remains crucial for them to balance speed with strategy while also being prepared for unforeseen circumstances.
