The 2025 Dakar Rally will see Ford competing with an old friend — Carlos Sainz Sr. The ex-WRC and Dakar Rally champion will pilot the Ford Raptor in the T1+ category, and the duo are back together after a long break from the rallying days. The 2025 Dakar Rally Ford Raptor has been built by Ford Performance and M-Sport.
2025 Dakar Rally: Ford Raptor team
Ford will have a four-member rally team at the upcoming Dakar Rally. Sainz will be joined by former teammate at Audi, Mattias Ekstrom, Mitch Guthrie Jr, who took second in the T3 class in the 2024 Dakar Rally, and two-time Dakar winner Nani Roma. The goal for the team will be the Dakar crown at the upcoming rally.
“The Dakar Rally is the pinnacle of off-road racing, and it’s where legends are made,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance. “With the Raptor T1+ and our exceptional team of drivers, we’re not just here to compete—we’re here to showcase the strength, durability, and technical innovation that Ford stands for. “This is a milestone moment for Ford Performance and our partners at M-Sport, and we’re ready to take on the challenge.”
2025 Dakar Rally: Ford Raptor T1+
The truck in question is a Ford Raptor powered by a high-performance Ford Coyote-based V8 engine. The Raptor gets advanced Fox suspension and a lightweight yet robust chassis that has been tested extensively and finetuned for Dakar. The Dakar Raptor rides on 17-inch aluminium wheels with 37-inch tyres and is paired with front and rear 355mm Alcon ventilated discs and six-piston monoblock callipers. The Ford Raptor T1+ has up to 350mm of wheel travel and 400mm ground clearance. Plenty to tackle the desert.
“There has been a huge amount of effort gone into the project and we can’t wait to finally start the event,” said Matthew Wilson, M-Sport program director. “We have a fantastic driver lineup and our learnings from the testing and Rallye Du Maroc in October should mean we are as prepared as we can be for the huge challenge coming our way. There are some very exciting elements to Dakar 2025 with the 48-Hour Chrono and finishing in the empty quarter so it will certainly be a true test of endurance.”
Image: Ford
