Winner of the Desafio Ruta 40 YPF in Argentina, Seth Quintero became the youngest driver in history to win a W2RC race in the Ultimate category. This is another step towards the pinnacle of rally-raid, which the 23-year-old American has been flirting with for several seasons now.
No driver under 30 had ever won a round of the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), a sport where experience is paramount. But never say never, especially not to Seth Quintero (Toyota Gazoo Racing W2RC). He is now the new record holder for youngest winner after his success at the 2026 Desafio Ruta 40 YPF, which he won ahead of his teammate Henk Lategan – who until then was the youngest winner in history – at the age of 23 years, 8 months, and 17 days. A crowning achievement, but also a confirmation. Those who have followed the American since childhood will not be surprised to learn that he has already made his mark in the history books.
First Dakar Rallies, First Records
Born in San Marcos, California, on September 12, 2002, Quintero was four years old when he first rode a quad. His passion for four-wheeled vehicles never left him. Behind the wheel of lightweight prototypes from the age of 10, he distinguished himself internationally in UTVs (the equivalent of SSVs in North America) as early as 2014, attracting the attention of Red Bull. The brand that gives wings recognized the boy's talent, and he clinched his first UTV world title in the 170cc (youth) category at just 13 years old, in 2015! He also triumphed in the WORCS series, and then went on to achieve, year after year, victories in prestigious races such as Best in the Desert and Vegas to Reno.
The American prodigy arrived at the Dakar Rally in 2021 at the age of 18 and became the youngest stage winner in history, taking it on the third day of the race (T3/Lightweight Prototypes category). He won six special stages, then 12 in the 2022 edition, another new record. The Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team USA driver didn't win the overall title in the Saudi Arabian race, but he did so in the Rallye du Maroc a few months later. This success helped him become the W2RC runner-up in the T3 category.
Towards the top of the W2RC
While he won fewer stages in the 2023 Dakar Rally (2), Quintero prioritized consistency over pure speed, securing second place on the Challenger podium in his Can-Am. Nine months later, he won the W2RC championship in his category and thus earned promotion to the premier Ultimate class. Toyota Gazoo Racing, which was then the world champion manufacturer, gave him nothing less than the keys of its Hilux T1+.
Quintero has been steadily improving ever since. First, by becoming the youngest winner of an Ultimate stage at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. Then, the youngest to reach the podium in an overall standings, finishing third in Abu Dhabi that year. Third was his best result before securing the silver medal at the bp Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal last March. "I haven't had enough luck to win yet," he confided before the Desafío Ruta 40 YPF, where he was aiming for "a better result." Better than second is first. And now he's done it.
New goals
What's next? At 23, the first American to win a W2RC (FIA) round has a bright future ahead of him. But with him, success doesn't wait. His victory in Argentina put him 13 points behind the championship leader, Sébastien Loeb (The Dacia Sandriders). Thirteen? His new lucky number, he who secured his first victory in his 13th Ultimate race, at the 13th edition of the Desafio Ruta 40 YPF.
Beyond the world title, his other great dream is to become the first American to win the Dakar Rally in a car, a goal also mentioned by Ricky Brabec. The country's best result is second place, achieved by Mark Miller ahead of his compatriot Robby Gordon, a key figure in the Dakar's popularity in the United States, in 2009. Quintero has never finished higher than 9th in the Saudi Arabian race. The Finn Juha Kankkunen was 28 years old when he became the youngest overall winner of the Dakar Rally in 1988. The record still stands as the 49th edition approaches. For how much longer? That may depend on Seth.
