TOYOTA

J.F.

• Joao made his cross-country debut back in 2019 in the T2 production class before getting behind the wheel of a T1 Toyota Hilux in 2021. From there he migrated to an X-Raid Mini with which he won the 2022 European Baja championship by a slim margin at the very last
• For the 2023 Dakar, super young Joao switch to the T3 class, entered aboard the X-Raid developed, Yamaha powered YXZ 1000R Turbo Prototype SXS. With a brand new car they knew they were outsiders and mechanical issues effectively put paid to any chances of a category podium. They did however break a record that delighted Yamaha: by winning a stage they allowed the Japanese manufacturer to be the first ever to win stages in both the car and bike categories!
• For the 2024 Dakar Joao switched to the T4 class and was fighting for the podium before a small electrical problem saw him finish in 5th
• For 2025 Joao is back with his faithful co-pilot Filipe Palmeiro in a T1+ Repsol 100% Renewable Fuels powered X-Raid Mini in which they finished 2nd on the Portuguese round of the W2RC.
• Portuguese crew joined Toyota Gazoo Racing line-up during summertime, starting with the Hiluw with two bajas victories in Spain and Portugal (Aragon and Sharish) before going to round 4.