João Ferreira will compete in the bp Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal, the fourth round of the World Rally-Raid Championship, at the wheel of the Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo. The driver is very pleased with his new team and the car’s potential, and his goal is to beat the best drivers in the world on home soil.
Winner of the FIA Bajas World Cup in 2024, João Ferreira switched from the German X-raid team to Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, with technical support from SVR Racing. He remains one of the contenders to win the event organized by the Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP), which takes place from September 22 to 28.
The 25-year-old driver from Leiria will race the Toyota Hilux T1+ Evo in the Ultimate category – one of the most competitive cars in cross-country rallying – alongside his experienced co-driver Filipe Palmeiro. Joining Toyota is a major challenge, but also an opportunity for his career. “I’m extremely motivated with this new project,” he said.
His recent victory at Baja Aragón, a round of the FIA Bajas World Cup, where he was faster than three-time world champion Nasser Al-Attiyah, was a very promising sign. “The first impressions are very good. Driving the Hilux is very different from the Mini; it has incredible power, but it’s easy to get used to. I’ve been working closely with the engineers to adapt as quickly as possible, but I still need to do many more kilometres to feel fully comfortable with the Hilux T1+, a car that has dominated world cross-country rallying. The goal is to evolve, and once I’m better adapted, I’ll be able to do very interesting things,” highlighted João Ferreira, who jokingly added: “Now I have no excuse not to win.”
At the wheel of a highly competitive car, expectations are naturally high for the bp Ultimate Rally Raid Portugal. “After finishing second in 2024, this year I’ll be fighting for victory. It’s going to be tough because the world’s top cross-country specialists will be there, and the home advantage is smaller since they already know the event as well. Still, racing at home always gives me an extra boost,” he admitted.
The driver also praised the organization: “ACP did a great job last year – foreign drivers said it was one of the best rounds of the World Championship. I’m sure they will organize an excellent race again in 2025,” he stressed.
João Ferreira is also set to enter another six or seven events this season, always with the goal of winning and gaining the experience and knowledge needed to arrive at Dakar 2026 fully prepared.