In the high-stakes world of motorsports, where split-second decisions and cutting-edge engineering come together, Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) is a shining example of constant innovation. TGR’s motto is “roads build people, and people build cars.” It’s not just about winning races; it’s also about making better cars for everyday drivers through the harsh test of competition. As of September 2025, TGR is still the best in global series. It combines history, technology, and raw performance to change what it means to race with a purpose.
The Beginning: From Nürburgring to a Global Powerhouse
Toyota has been involved in motorsports for more than 60 years, but Gazoo Racing was born in 2007 when Akio Toyoda, who was then Vice President of Toyota and is now Chairman, teamed up with legendary test driver Hiromu Naruse to compete in the grueling 24 Hours of Nürburgring. Since they couldn’t use the official “Toyota Racing” name as private entrants, they called their team “Team Gazoo,” which is a reference to Toyota’s website that focuses on images. The team had modified used cars and a group of dedicated engineers. They were living out Toyoda’s vision of improving skills and vehicles in tough situations.
This grassroots movement grew quickly. After Naruse’s tragic death in 2014, Gazoo Racing won all three classes at Nürburgring in his honor. Toyoda was President from 2009 to 2010, and during that time the program grew and put on events like the 86/BRZ Race and the annual Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival. In 2015, all of the motorsport efforts came together under the Gazoo name, which included both the Toyota and Lexus divisions. By 2017, the Gazoo Racing Company had become an official part of the company, giving production models like the Supra and GR Yaris race-bred insights.
Since 2002, TGR’s European branch, Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe (formerly Toyota Motorsport GmbH), has been in charge of designing everything from Formula One challengers to endurance prototypes in Cologne, Germany. Toyota left F1 in 2009 after eight seasons with 13 podiums, three poles, and a lot of speed. The focus then shifted to endurance and rally, which are where TGR really shines.
Key Achievements: A History of Success
TGR’s trophy case is full of trophies from the world’s toughest series, showing that motorsport isn’t just a hobby; it’s a way to learn about how to make cars better.
The World Rally Championship (WRC)
TGR shocked everyone with the Yaris WRC when it came back to WRC in 2017 after a 17-year break. It won Rally Sweden, its first win since 1999. Tommi Mäkinen was the team’s main driver and team boss in 2018, and they won the Manufacturers’ title. He is the first person to win both as a driver and team boss. In 2024, TGR-WRT won eight of the 13 rounds, making it four straight Manufacturers’ crowns. There were 12 overall podiums, including a historic triple podium in Germany.
The streak keeps going strong in 2025. The GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid from TGR has had a record-breaking season, with a 1-2-3-4-5 finish at Rally Finland and a 1-2-3-4 finish at Rally Islas Canarias. At Rally Chile, Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais won their fifth race, beating teammate Elfyn Evans for a strategic 1-2 finish. This was the team’s fourth double of the year. Ogier is now in the lead among drivers with three rounds to go, the next one being the Central European Rally from October 16 to 19.
Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship (WEC)
TGR’s heart is endurance racing. The TS050 Hybrid won three Le Mans 24 Hours races (2018–2020) and four WEC titles. It was a hybrid with the THS-R system, which combined a capacitor-stored powerhouse with a 3.4-liter V8 engine. As the Hypercar era began, the GR010 Hybrid won the Le Mans race in 2021 and 2022, and it also won the Hypercar title double in 2021, which was a first.
At the 2025 Le Mans, TGR’s drivers expected tough fights and faster laps, which showed that they were still making improvements. The team’s last race in Bahrain in 2021 was a 1-2 finish, which gave them all the titles and said goodbye to the TS050.
The Dakar Rally and More
The 2025 Dakar Rally was a big deal because TGR won the overall race for the first time and finished first and second with the GR Hilux EVO, completing all six stages without any problems. Nasser Al-Attiyah’s second-place finish in 2020 showed how tough the Hilux is for raids.
TGR also does well at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. In 2025, they go back to their roots with a GR Yaris that tests the new GAZOO Racing Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) for super-fast shifts. They won the 2007 Tokachi 24-hour race with a hybrid Supra.
| Series | Key Achievements | Notable Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| WRC | 4x Manufacturers’ Titles (2018, 2022-2024); 2025: 5 wins, record doubles | GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid |
| WEC/Le Mans | 5x Le Mans Wins (2018-2022); 4x WEC Titles | TS050 Hybrid, GR010 Hybrid |
| Dakar Rally | 2025 Overall Win & 1-2 Finish | GR Hilux EVO |
| Nürburgring 24H | 3-Class Sweep (2014); Ongoing Development | GR Yaris (DAT prototype) |
New programs and ideas: Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond
There is a lot of hybrid innovation and grassroots passion in TGR’s 2025 lineup. In WRC, the drivers Ogier, Evans, Takamoto Katsuta, and champion Kalle Rovanperä drive the new GR Yaris Rally1, which combines turbocharged power with eco-friendly technology. Jari-Matti Latvala, who has been Team Principal since 2021, runs things from the Puuppola base in Finland.
In WEC’s Hypercar class, the GR010 is the focus of endurance races. In Dakar, the Hilux EVO is pushed to its limits in the desert. TGR’s GR badge can be seen on models like the new GR86 RZ “Yellow Limited,” which is a special 300-unit model with bright colors and track-tuned upgrades. You can enter a lottery to win one of these cars until September 21, 2025.
The GR Yaris M has a mid-ship 2.0-liter turbo inline-four that makes it more dynamic, and it uses refined hybrids to be more environmentally friendly. What does TGR say? Transfer what you learn on the track, like DAT’s shift precision, to street cars in order to make mobility “ever better.”
Even famous people get involved: Thai actor Barcode Tinnasit tested his skills at Buriram International Circuit on September 14, 2025, and had a minor crash during a TGR Thailand session. This shows that the spirit goes beyond pros.
The Road Ahead: Challenges That Never End
As TGR tries to win the WRC in Central Europe and keep its WEC title, its philosophy stays the same: motorsport is a way to build people and machines. TGR shows that real progress requires pushing limits, from Akio Toyoda’s rallying to the roar of Le Mans. Toyota Gazoo Racing isn’t just racing; it’s changing the finish line in a world that is moving toward sustainability and excitement. No matter if you’re a fan in the stands or behind the wheel of a GR model, one thing is clear: the journey makes us all better.
