João Ferreira

João Ferreira and Repsol Lubricants: A New Chapter in Rally Raid

João Ferreira talks about his new role as a Repsol Lubricants ambassador, his rally raid career, the Dakar Rally, and motorsport technology.

João Ferreira joins Repsol Lubricants as a brand ambassador in Portugal, marking a new milestone in a partnership that began in 2024. The Portuguese driver enters this new chapter with the aim of continuing to grow in rally raid and bringing audiences closer to the technology and expertise behind Repsol lubricants.

Following an eighth-place finish at the 2025 Dakar Rally and his move to Toyota Gazoo Racing SA, João Ferreira is experiencing one of the most significant moments of his sporting career.

In this interview, we talk to him about his development as a driver, his relationship with Repsol, the importance of technology and lubrication in motorsport, and his future ambitions, including his dream of fighting for victory at the Dakar Rally.

João Ferreira: A Career on the Rise

To begin with, how would you describe the current stage of your racing career?

I believe I'm at a very good stage in my career. I've continued to grow, gain experience and compete at an increasingly high level. Finishing eighth at the 2025 Dakar Rally was an important milestone, and joining Toyota Gazoo Racing SA was another step towards achieving my goals. I feel motivated and confident in the work we're doing, and I'm eager to keep improving and fighting for the best possible results.

What has changed most about João Ferreira since you first started competing?

The biggest change has been my mindset. I started racing as a hobby, and today it's my profession, something I dedicate myself to 100%, with all the energy I have.

What continues to motivate you after so many kilometres and so many races?

The desire to win more races, to win the Dakar and the World Championship, and to continue competing against the drivers I grew up watching. Above all, I want to have the honour of representing my country.

What do you think is most important to keep developing as a rally raid driver?

Consistency and learning. Rally raid demands that you make it to the finish line, and that requires rigour, discipline and the humility to learn from every mistake. Surrounding myself with a good team and working closely with the right partners and with Filipe Palmeiro is essential.

João Ferreira and Repsol Lubricants: Taking the Partnership Further

The relationship between João Ferreira and Repsol began in 2024. Now, with his appointment as a Repsol Lubricants ambassador in Portugal, both parties are strengthening a partnership built on motorsport, technology and continuous development.

You've been working with Repsol for several years, and now the relationship is moving forward with your involvement in Repsol Lubricants. How do you approach this new chapter, and what does it mean to you?

It's a source of pride to remain part of the Repsol family and now take on the role of Repsol Lubricants ambassador in Portugal. Since we began this partnership in 2024, we've built a relationship based on trust, shared values and a commitment to continuous improvement. This new chapter allows us to strengthen that bond and bring the world of motorsport even closer to the technology behind Repsol Lubricants products. It's an opportunity to share my experience as a driver and help raise awareness of the work the brand is doing in this field.

For me, the fact that Repsol is investing in young talent and in Portugal also fills me with pride and hope. The support they've given me as a Portuguese driver, at a time when I'm still building my career, has helped me go further. I want to repay that trust through my results and the way I represent the brand.

What do you particularly value about working with a company that invests in research and technological development?

I really value the fact that it's a company that never stands still. Knowing that there's research and development behind its products makes me feel that the technology is evolving alongside me. As a driver, knowing that the technology can meet our demands gives us tremendous confidence.

What does having a company like Repsol behind you bring to a driver in a sport as demanding as rally raid?

It brings stability, confidence and the ability to work towards long-term goals. In a sport where anything can happen hundreds of kilometres away from the nearest assistance point, having a strong, technically capable partner allows me to focus on what I need to do: drive.

Repsol has more than five decades of motorsport history, from Ángel Nieto's titles to Marc Márquez's victories, as well as Carlos Sainz's achievements. Having that experience and long-term vision on my side is a privilege and an enormous source of motivation.

Racing Lubricants: Technology Pushed to the Limit

Rally raid subjects vehicles to particularly demanding conditions. High temperatures, dust, sand, changes of pace, impacts and long hours of operation turn every event into a challenge for the entire vehicle and its components.

For a driver, reliability is essential. And it is precisely in this environment that lubricants play a crucial role.

From a driver's perspective, how important is it to have technologies and products developed specifically for motorsport?

It's hugely important. Motorsport has very specific demands, and a product designed for those conditions from the outset performs better when the car is pushed to its limits. It makes a difference in terms of reliability and, ultimately, results.

During competition, a car can spend hours exposed to high temperatures, dust, sand and heavy workloads. What role does lubrication play under these conditions?

In these circumstances, lubrication is absolutely essential. In rally raid, the engine and all the car's components are subjected to extreme conditions for hours, and knowing I can trust what's inside makes all the difference. Lubrication protects the components when everything around them is harsh and demanding, and that's what allows us to reach the finish line.

When you're competing, are you aware of all the technical work that goes into ensuring the car reaches the finish line?

Absolutely, without a doubt. When I'm behind the wheel, I'm focused on the road, but I know that behind every stage there are hours of preparation, analysis and work carried out by mechanics and engineers. It's an entire team that crosses the finish line with me, and knowing that all this work has gone into preparing the car fills me with both pride and confidence.

What Does Rally Raid Demand from a Vehicle?

Rally raid puts vehicles to the test in many different ways. It's not simply about maintaining a high pace, but about doing so for hours on surfaces that can change constantly.

Which aspects of rally raid do you think put the greatest strain on the car and its components?

Heat, dust, sand and temperature changes are among the toughest challenges, but so is the duration: we're talking about many consecutive hours under heavy loads. Then there are the impacts from the terrain, the dunes, and the fast, rough tracks. All of this means we need a very well-prepared car.

To what extent is motorsport a good environment for pushing technology to its limits and continuing to improve it?

It's the best possible laboratory. In motorsport, there's no room for error. Components are put through rigorous testing under extremely demanding conditions. In rally raid, the conditions are particularly extreme: there are many different factors and long hours of continuous effort, which makes reliability essential.

That's one of the reasons why I consider the relationship between motorsport and research and development so important. The experience gained under these conditions provides valuable knowledge that helps us continue refining technological solutions. Ultimately, given the extreme conditions of rally raid, anything that proves itself there earns enormous credibility.

It's interesting to know that the work carried out in such a demanding environment can also contribute to the development of Repsol Lubricants products used every day by thousands of drivers.

João Ferreira and the Baja de Portalegre

Alongside his international racing commitments, João Ferreira has a special connection with the Baja de Portalegre, one of the most important events on the Portuguese rally raid calendar and a race that holds particular significance for the driver.

What makes competing in the Baja de Portalegre so special for you?

It's a very special race because I'm competing on home soil, with the Portuguese fans cheering me on. It was there, in 2019, that I achieved my first victory in Portugal, and I'm also the youngest winner in the history of the Baja Portalegre 500. It carries an emotional significance that very few races can match.

What is the most demanding aspect of an event like Portalegre: the terrain, navigation, pace or vehicle management?

It's a combination of everything, but I'd say pace and vehicle management play a particularly important role. The terrain is very demanding, and the pace is intense from start to finish, so you have to push hard without putting too much strain on the car's mechanical components. Finding that balance is the biggest challenge.

Is there a particular moment during a race when you really feel you're pushing both the car and yourself to the limit?

Absolutely! Especially during the long stages, when fatigue starts to build up and the terrain is unforgiving. That's when your concentration is really put to the test, and when confidence in the car and your co-driver becomes decisive. But I wouldn't trade those moments for anything in the world. They're the moments that help us grow the most.

The Importance of Teamwork in Rally Raid

In a discipline where drivers, co-drivers, mechanics and engineers work for hours under extreme conditions, coordination is essential.

Which aspect of rally raid do you enjoy most as a driver: speed, strategy, navigation or teamwork?

I enjoy all of it, but what I love most is when everything comes together: a car that's performing well, flawless navigation and a team working in perfect harmony. Speed is what excites me most, but the result comes from everyone working together.

How important is communication with the team in achieving a good result?

It's essential. With Filipe Palmeiro, communication inside the car has to be clear and immediate. And with the technical team, the feedback I provide about the car's behaviour helps them fine-tune everything. Without communication, there are no good results.

What would you like to achieve together with Repsol in this new chapter of your partnership?

I'd like to continue achieving good results, but also help bring Repsol Lubricants closer to end consumers. Ultimately, I'd like us to keep growing together, both on and off the race track. I'm very proud to be a brand ambassador, and I want Repsol Lubricants to feel that they've made the right decision and chosen a good ambassador to demonstrate that technology proven in motorsport also benefits people who drive every day.

From a sporting perspective, I want to keep fighting for great results in the major national and international events, achieve my goal of winning the Dakar and take my sponsors' names even further. At the same time, as a Repsol Lubricants ambassador in Portugal, I want to share my experience and help highlight the importance of technology, innovation and reliability in a sport as demanding as ours. I believe we can bring value to each other while maintaining the ambition and drive for continuous improvement that have characterised this partnership from the beginning.

If you had to describe your relationship with Repsol in three words, what would they be?

Trust, high standards and evolution.

And looking ahead, how far would you like to go with Repsol?

I want to continue developing as a driver, fight for victory in the most important rally raid events and, of course, aim for the best possible results at the Dakar Rally. I'd like to pursue that journey alongside Repsol, continuing a partnership that I believe in and that has great potential for growth.

For me, it's important that this relationship goes beyond sporting results and that we continue sharing knowledge, experience and a passion for innovation. The goal is to evolve together, take on new challenges and build an increasingly strong and lasting partnership.