FORD

Company will compete in the 2025 Dakar Rally with the Raptor pick-up prepared by Ford Performance

Ford announced that it will compete in the 2025 Dakar Rally with a Raptor pick-up prepared by Ford Performance, its high-performance vehicle division, and released the first teaser of the vehicle, currently in the testing phase. The brand also presented two of the four drivers who will make up its team in the competition: Carlos Sainz and Nani Roma(image below).

Sainz, father of Carlos Sainz Jr., Formula 1 driver, is seeking his fifth title in the Dakar Rally in his return to Ford, a relationship that dates back to the beginning of his almost 40-year career. Two-time Dakar champion Roma extends its partnership with Ford and M-Sport after the 2024 learning campaign.

Testing of the 2025 Ford Raptor has begun, as Ford Performance prepares to successfully complete one of the most difficult races in the world. The 2025 Dakar Rally program reinforces Ford's presence and dedication to world motorsport and its commitment to off-road competitions after racing in 2024 with the Ranger T1.

“Our off-road racing ambitions are unparalleled in Ford’s recent history, and nothing makes that clearer than our challenge to take the Ford Raptor to the legendary Dakar Rally,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsport. “Taking on such a huge challenge requires the best engineers, designers, crew, navigators and pilots. The Ford Raptor is already showing promising signs in testing and having Nani Roma and Carlos Sainz, two of the most experienced and successful drivers in Dakar history, with us gives us confidence in the continued development of the pick-up.”

Matthew Wilson, director of M-Sport and manager of the Dakar team, highlighted the quality of the drivers and their importance in facing the enormous challenge of the Dakar. “It’s a pleasure to welcome Nani back to the team after a great race this year with the Ranger T1 in Dakar. Carlos is a legend of the sport and one of the most successful drivers in all formats of off-road racing. With testing underway, we now have a great opportunity to learn from the best and further drive the development of the Ford Raptor,” he said.

“I am very excited about this new Dakar Rally project, about working with Ford again for the fourth time and returning to M-Sport”, said Carlos Sainz. “My history with Ford goes back to 1987 and I am very proud of that. I am very excited to drive the Raptor pickup truck and face this big challenge with many goals. One of them is helping Ford win the Dakar Rally.”

“It is a pleasure to be in this great project with an iconic brand like Ford and with M-Sport, with its history and legacy in sport, to create something completely new”, commented Nani Roma. “The next Dakar is not far away, so now is the time to work hard. But we are very happy to be surrounded by super dedicated and talented engineers, mechanics and the entire team. Being able to wake up every day and do what we love, with people who have the same passion, is the best feeling.”

Autonews