Henk Lategan eyes redemption in Portugal after Dakar heartbreak

South Africa's rally-raid driver, Henk Lategan, is ready to burn rubber in the World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC) in Portugal this week, following another close call at the Dakar Rally.

Rally Raid Portugal, the second of five stops on the 2026 W2RC calendar, runs from Tuesday, 17 March, to Sunday, 22 March.

Reflecting on the season's start, Lategan noted that despite falling short of a win at Dakar, the team gathered invaluable technical insights.

"The team's goal is clear. We knew we had a different start to the season, a different sort of approach with the new car," Lategan said. "At Dakar, we were in the fight, and yes, it would have been amazing to come out with the win, but it was a very positive race for us in terms of seeing that the car had the pace. We really gathered a lot of good information, good data, and good points to work on."

With fewer championship points on offer in Portugal, Argentina, Morocco, and Abu Dhabi than at the Dakar Rally, Lategan and his co-driver, Brett Cummings, face an uphill challenge for the overall title.

In 2025, the pair finished third overall after winning the South Africa Safari Rally and securing second-place finishes in both Portugal and Dakar.

Despite the technical setbacks earlier this year, the mood within the Toyota Gazoo Racing camp remains resilient.

"The team's morale and spirit is extremely high. They are heavily motivated," Lategan explained. "Having such a difficult Dakar and knowing that the car is capable, and getting that close, and then having the heartbreak at the end is disappointing, but at the same time, it was extremely motivating."

Speaking to Eyewitness News in a virtual call arranged by Red Bull, Lategan emphasised that the strategy for the remainder of the year is to apply mechanical improvements based on Dakar lessons.

Last year, Cummings and Lategan made history by finishing just 3 minutes and 57 seconds behind winner Yazeed Al-Rajhi, the narrowest margin between first and second in the race’s history.

The four-time national champion is confident in the updates made to their GR Hilux T1+.

Earlier this year, the duo held second place overall after 10 stages at Dakar before a seized rear wheel cost them four hours, resulting in a 21st-place finish.

"The guys around me are really pushing hard... and that's showing in all the test sessions we're doing. I think we've made a few good changes," Lategan said. "You only really know how good you are until you get into the competition and compare yourself to the rest of the guys. We're going to be pushing forward to try and get something better for Dakar next year."

Lategan, a seasoned driver with a W2RC victory to his name, has adopted a more philosophical approach to the unpredictable nature of rally racing.

"In the beginning, I must say, it was frustrating me a lot," Lategan admitted regarding external factors beyond his control. "A guy once told me that it doesn't help to try and control everything; the best you can do is try and control the things that are within your control. I can make sure I'm fit, I'm prepared, well-rested, and ready for the race. That’s basically what I’m focusing on."