1.      Could you outline the major steps in your career as a rally vehicle pilot? When and where did you start competing in motorsport and driving rally trucks?

I started rallying in 2010, with a basic BMW 318. We moved into Dakar in 2016 when opportunity arose for me to join up with experienced rally-raid codriver and sports marketing specialist Saulius Jurgelenas. We started with a T3 vehicle designed and produced in Lithuania. It was a disastrous project with two DNF’s in a row, but it allowed me to enter the biggest car race in the world. We somehow convinced our sponsors to move into T1 vehicle next year, resulting in P18 and P12. In 2020 we made headlines with unexpected Dakar stage win after switching to X-raid. However, after such iconic moment it went really turbulent for us, with 3 out 4 years with major technical failures and 2 DNFs. So ultimately I decided to try something different and contacted De Rooy team to test the Dakar truck. Honestly, after 10 years in a car, it was not an easy switch, but luckily the first attempt in truck category ended well with P5 in Dakar 2025.

2.      What are the main technical differences between driving a car and a truck during a rally?

It’s a massive difference because truck is 5 times heavier. So it impacts everything from ascent to the big dunes to the braking strategy. You really need to adjust your mindset that it’s not a steering wheel of an agile T1+ car, but 10 ton truck. For me the biggest challenge was to adjust my driving style as an aggressive approach can quickly destroy the brakes and tyres. So first Dakar was with a steep learning curve, but this year we managed to build on that. 

3.      How does this year's Dakar route compare with last year's? Was this year's rally more or less difficult than the 2025 edition? Why?

I think both 2025 and 2026 routes where very demanding, for the crew as well as the vehicles. This year the route was especially rough, with many rugged sections and plenty of stones. So I guess it was an opportunity to build on the 10 years of my Dakar experience and control the risks. Winning the stages was not a priority, but rather to maintain a sustainable pace throughout the two weeks of the marathon.

4.      Could you describe the story of your Dakar this year in some detail? What about the main turning point or points of this year's rally?  When did you first feel confident that you would win the race? Was it at the end of Stage 10?

I think there were two turning points. First in stage 3, when we lost 35 minutes due to impact with sand pile in the dust. Such a massive loss early in the race can really take a toll on one’s motivation. However, we trusted our pace to patiently climb back. The second turning point was when we took the lead in stage 10. It was a nerve wrecking tension to avoid mistakes and deliver it to the finish line. The lead to Loprais was less then 20min, so even a simple tyre change of 5min could alter things significantly. But luckily we managed it hold it off. It was a new and interesting experience to lead the rally I once only dreamed of participating in.

5.      Who was the most challenging competitor this year? Ales Loprais? Mitchell van den Brink? Martin Macík? Or someone else?

I think Ales, Mitch and Martin are the closest and most consistent competitors. Mitch can be very fast, and he already has significant experience to maintain the pace throughout the race. Ales has been in Dakar truck racing for two decades so he is a like a hawk than can both be very fast but also play the strategy well. Martin Macik has won Dakar two times, so there is no better argument than this. So it’s a tough gig being in a mix with these guys. Every time we start a stage, with 30sec. interval, there is always a competitor in your eyesight, so it helps to keep the hunter spirit up.

6.      How would you describe your driving style? Are you aggressive or a cool tactician?

I used to be aggressive, but over the years turbulent experience has taught me to balance the speed and risk taking. Dakar is a long marathon, so it makes no sense to win stages, if you make even one major mistake that destroys the overall finish. With the helmet on, its not an easy strategy to take, but its essential to score at the finish. It also helps to have the kind of veteran codriver like Paulo Fiuza in the cabin. He also knows very well when we need to push and when to cool it off.

7.      Where do you feel most comfortable as a rally pilot? On rocky stretches? Soft desert sand? Dunes? Or on narrow, winding routes?

This year I realized I am strongest in the dunes. Its surprising, because my background is in classic rallying. But I think a switch from cars helps me to take more ambitious lines compared to other drivers. On the rocky segments, I am still learning the limits of the tyres. It’s a difficult school as even a single tyre change adds at least 5min. It would be nice to add races like Morocco to our calendar to improve on that, but it’s always a budgeting issue.

8.      Could you explain how your Iveco Powerstar and PFT engine helped you to achieve this result? Were they as reliable and high-performing as you expected? How did you modify your rally truck compared to last year's? Are you using an automatic gearbox? Do you like it?

I am pretty sure De Rooy has the most powerful engine among all Iveco trucks in Dakar thanks to direct support from FPT. The power of the engine is amazing, and its especially valuable resource in the dunes. I am also glad we did not have any engine issues in both editions. Compared to last year, the truck is also lighter, which is important for our overall competitiveness. The new truck also had manual shift option for Alisson gearbox, which was a massive improvement from last year. I used only manual mode throughout the whole race.

9.      Can you tell us anything about your future projects?

In the summer I will return to Lithuanian Rally Championship with Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, which serves as a training ground for me until the next Dakar. It might seem funny to train with 1.2 ton car before racing a 10 ton truck. But it really helps to keep me sharp, and its also the most cost-efficient method of training for us. Hopefully, then we return to Dakar in 2027. 

Source：Gianenrico Griffini