Toby Price, two-time Dakar winner and Toyota’s new star: “When I was riding a motorcycle I thought it would be easier in a car, but even sitting in the seat is very difficult. I hope I can match Peterhansel and Roma.”

Only three people in the world can boast of having won the Dakar in both the two-wheeler and four-wheeler categories. Hubert Auriol, Stephane Peterhansel, Nani Roma. However, this 2026 edition may add: toby price (Hilston, Australia, 1987). There’s no denying that it’s difficult for an Australian with only a year of four-wheel experience. But it includes the World Cup winning Toyota Hilux T1+ and the entire official structure. gazoo racing, I support him.

The Japanese brand chose him as a replacement for the world champion Lucas Moraes. Therefore, a lot is expected of him. Far from feeling pressured, Price is embracing the opportunity. He knows the challenge is big, but always in good spirits as he tells the MD all the details of the Dakar, which symbolized his career before and after.

How are you feeling in this new chapter of your career?

That’s a big step forward. It’s a dream come true to join this amazing team made up of Toyota Gazoo Racing, Repsol and Red Bull. It took a lot of hard work and hard work to get this opportunity. So you need to see if it’s worth it.

However, I believe in the little knowledge I have regarding the four-wheel category. And I’m looking forward to 2026. It’s great to be able to work with Armando in the co-pilot seat. We both come from motorcycling backgrounds, so I think we can interpret things in a very similar way.

“If I had been on the bike, I would have put myself in a lot of pain, but when someone else’s life is in your hands you have to be very smart.”

Dr. Toby Price

Please tell us why you signed the contract with Toyota. What could be the reason?

Honestly, I think it’s because of Toyota’s background. They are very strong all over the world. In Australia, Toyota is one of the largest manufacturers. And I think everyone knows Toyota or at least has that association. For me, the reason is because of the team and their support and the support and sponsorship that they have is huge.

So I think this is the best place and the best team to start my career in the world of motorsport. And I hope we have many more years ahead of us.

Last year you made your debut in the car but had to pull out due to an injury to your co-driver (Sam Sunderland). So, is your goal just to finish the race or do you have an outcome in mind?

It’s a little bit of both. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned this year. If I had ridden a motorcycle, I would have put myself through a lot of pain and torture and wouldn’t have been stressed about anything. But you have to be really smart about these things when someone else’s life is in your hands. And unfortunately Sam had some minor collisions with his car and we had to retreat. Well, it wasn’t the dream result I was expecting. In that race, all I wanted was to get to the finish line.

And this year, if possible, I would like to achieve results. But I still have the same spirit. I want to see the finish line. To be the first to finish, you must finish first. To be honest, I think my level improved considerably during the two days I spent sleeping in the car after Baja Dubai. You have 12 days to resolve the issue. But they come out on day one and hit full speed from the get-go. So I hope I can take advantage of that. And if I can achieve that, like I say, my dream is to be in the top 10. I think if I can finish in the top five it will be a great start to my four-wheeled career. But honestly, when it comes to the Dakar, you never know. In 2015, I tried riding a motorcycle for the first time and achieved 3rd place on the podium. Yes, anything is possible.

And I feel like I have a great co-pilot like Armand (Monleon) with me. Additionally, I have a great team that provides me with the best equipment. Therefore, I would like to achieve great results so that the entire team, support staff, and sponsors can have a great race.

“In a car, it’s very difficult to even sit in the seat, let alone understand all the parts. There have to be more factors in your favor.”

Dr. Toby Price

You have won the Dakar twice on motorcycles. However, there are only three drivers in history who have won both cars and motorcycles. People need to understand that this challenge is very complex…

absolutely. Everyone thinks so… To be honest, when I was a motorcycle driver, I thought being a car driver was very easy. But honestly, it’s a different world.

Did you really understand what it is…

It’s never easy. Just securing a seat is difficult. Not to mention understanding the car and all its parts. Winning in the automotive sector requires many more favorable factors. As of now, I’m still on the learning curve. But like I said, I feel like we’re starting to get very comfortable with the car. And with only a few days left until the Dakar, I think we should start to feel pretty strong there.

Therefore, it is a difficult task and a big demand. Stephane Peterhansel and Nani Roma have done just that. They continue to compete to this day. I hope I can be one of the people who engrave my name on both trophies like them.

“The most important thing is to know the limits of the car. In Armando’s case, we both come from motorcycle backgrounds, so I can almost imagine how he would say something to me before I drive.”

Dr. Toby Price

What change took the longest to adapt to?

I think the most important thing is to understand the capabilities of the car. I had seen some bumps and square edges and thought the car wouldn’t be able to overcome them. But we have to change our mindset. In some cases, the harder you hit it, the smoother and better your car will handle. Therefore, I think the most important thing is to know the limits of your car.

Also, please tell me the directions, where to go, and which direction to turn the car. Usually when you’re riding a motorcycle, you make all these decisions yourself without looking at the roadbook. It’s up to the co-pilot and I have to trust him.

And he has to trust me, I won’t make mistakes and won’t hurt us both. As I mentioned earlier, many factors need to come together for everything to work properly. I am very excited about this opportunity and intend to give it my all.

I’m going to do everything I can to get to the finish line and get into a good position.

Finally, you’ll share a cabin with Armando Monleon, the man behind Lucas Moraes’ world championship title. How are your first days working with the Spaniards?

To be honest, Dubai was very stressful. We didn’t know how it worked or how it worked. I needed to understand his vocabulary and how he felt comfortable conveying information to me. But I also wanted to ask. As I mentioned earlier, I won a stage at Dubai Baja. I think this is a step in the right direction for us.

We both come from the motorcycle world, so we understand each other. You can pretty much imagine how he says something, and he delivers it pretty much the same way. And I started doing things in my car that he usually does on his bike. We work together very well and I look forward to that collaboration. Like I said, he led Lucas to a world championship. Obviously, he’s doing something very right.

I have to trust him, but it doesn’t mean I don’t trust him. I already trust him enough. But he knows what he’s doing. You must definitely apply what he taught you to get the best results. we are very much looking forward to it.

He is Spanish so the support we will receive here will be incredible. He will be my interpreter. As I’ve said many times before, I’m the link. I hope he teaches me a little Spanish and I can do my interview in Spanish next year.

Next time I’ll do it in Spanish.

(laughter) Yes, I’m looking forward to it.

Toby, thank you for your commitment to Sportish and best of luck.

because of you