After more than three decades since the beginning of his successful collaboration with Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya, Repsol and Toyota resume a historic partnership in the world of rallying.This time, they're doing so with a renewed focus, betting on the young talents of Spanish motorsport. The multinational energy company and the Japanese firm are teaming up to compete in the WRC2 category of the World Rally Championship (WRC), building on past experience and looking to the future with a new talent at the helm: Alejandro Cachón.
the asturian pilot, current champion of the Spanish Super Rally Championship (S-CER), will be in charge of representing this alliance at the wheel of a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, accompanied by his co-driver, Borja Rozada, on this exciting international adventure. The Spanish duo will make their debut at the Rally Islas Canarias, which will take place from April 24 to 27 in Gran Canaria, a key event in their progression within the world championship and one that promises to showcase their potential.
Repsol and Toyota: a return with a taste of history
La collaboration between Repsol and Toyota Rallying is nothing new to fans of the sport. It was in the late 80s when they began to write their joint history, highlighted by the world titles won in 1990 and 1992. That glorious era with Sainz and Moya is etched in the memories of rally fans in Spain, and now it returns with a new chapter starring Cachón and Rozada.
At an official presentation held at Repsol's headquarters in Madrid, this new phase, in which both entities have placed great expectations, was confirmed. Representatives from Repsol also participated in the event. Teo Martin Motorsport, the structure in charge of preparing and maintaining the vehicle, who have taken on the challenge of carrying out the technical operations during the championship.
A key opportunity for Cachón
At just 23 years old, Alejandro Cachón faces the biggest challenge of his career so far. The Asturian driver confesses that he feels ready to take on the responsibility of representing two such iconic brands and a country that yearns to have its protagonists back in the world of racing. international rally panorama"I feel the pressure, but I channel it into something positive," the young driver stated during his speech at the presentation event. His goal is no less important: to compete at the highest level and dream of one day becoming world champion.
Cachón stands out for his maturity and for having demonstrated leadership in national competitions. Last year, he came close to winning the Canary Islands Rally when it was part of the European Championship. Now, with more experience, he's capitalizing on this new opportunity to excel. among the best in WRC2.
Rozada, a key co-pilot in the project
Next to Cachón will be Borja Rozada, a co-driver with extensive experience and 43 years of experience. Rozada will lend his voice to the rhythm of the vehicle, the precision of his notes, and the experience necessary to professionally tackle a challenge of this caliber. Both appear to be in sync, although, according to themselves, they have musical differences in the car, an anecdotal detail that doesn't affect the good chemistry between them during the competition.
Rozada believes that this return to the world championship is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate his worth, especially since it is such an ambitious project and backed by heavyweight brands"Healthy pressure forces us to improve, to take each race with the utmost care," said the Madrid-born co-driver, who has already worked with other leading figures in the sport.
Repsol, a strategic commitment to the automotive industry
Repsol not only seeks visibility with this type of initiatives, but also considers competition as a real test bench for your productsAccording to Natalia Villoria, Repsol's Director of Sponsorship and Advertising, their involvement in the engine industry allows them to fine-tune fuels and lubricants under extreme conditions and subsequently apply these improvements to commercial products.
This philosophy of technology transfer is also reflected in their presence in other competitions, such as the Dakar, where they collaborate with the Toyota team and Isidre Esteve. For the energy company, competition is an effective form of innovation, and return to the WRC It also means renewing its commitment to motor sport at a key moment.
Toyota Spain, optimistic about the new challenge
Miguel Carsi, president of Toyota Spain, expressed his enthusiasm for resuming a partnership that once brought so much joy to Spanish motorsports. "With Carlos and Luis, we managed to change the history of Spanish rallying. Now, we're returning with Alejandro and Borja in a new phase, and we're convinced that good results will come," Carsi declared during the event.
From Toyota headquarters they value not only the sporting projection of the initiative, but also the joint work with Repsol, with whom they share values ​​of innovation, sustainability, and commitment. "The planets have aligned for this story to be rewritten," Carsi concluded, highlighting the symbolism of this shared project.
A challenging calendar in WRC2
El World Rally Championship in its WRC2 category It features a series of demanding events on different continents. After the initial stops in Monte Carlo, Sweden, and Kenya, the Canary Islands Rally will mark the Spanish duo's debut. From then on, their performance will be key to remaining competitive and gaining experience in highly varied scenarios in terms of climate, terrain, and stage types.
El Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 It has been specifically developed to meet these demands, with a robust chassis, aerodynamic improvements, and an engine that guarantees power on multiple surfaces. It will undoubtedly be a fundamental tool for Cachón and Rozada, allowing them to focus on their driving and strategy without worrying about mechanical issues.
As the weeks go by, the Teo MartÃn Motorsport technical team The final details of the vehicle are being fine-tuned, while driver and co-driver fine-tune their understanding in sessions leading up to the official debut. Everything indicates that this return to the world stage will not be a one-off, but rather the start of a solid career that seeks to once again place Spain among the leading figures in international rallying.
Images | toyota
