M-Sport Ford is poised to take on the 2025 Dakar Rally with the fast and tough Ford Raptor T1+, stacking its driver lineup with a roster of experienced off-road wheelmen. Having posted a successful run in 2024 with the Ford Ranger Raptor, the motorsports outfit expects to follow that up with another fantastic drive next year.
The drivers who will make it happen are Carlos Sainz Sr., Nani Roma, Mitch Guthrie Jr., Kellon Walch, and Mattias Ekström. Sainz is no stranger to success in the grueling off-road race – he’s won Dakar four times and is the reigning victor. His codriver, Lucas Cruz, is headed back to M-Sport Ford for the first time in 22 years after competing with the team in the FIA World Rally Championship in four seasons from 1996 to 2002.
Ekström, meanwhile, is the two-time DTM champion. He also holds the title in World Rallycross, as does his codriver, Emil Bergvist. Ekström has plenty of prior experience in Dakar, too. He was running 20 minutes behind Sainz last year before a series of setbacks put him off the pace, but not to be deterred, he proved his mettle behind the wheel at the Rallye du Muroc, picking off 40 cars in the first stage alone after starting 91st in the Ford Raptor T1+.
Roma and codriver Alex Haro are also returning to M-Sport Ford for the 2025 Dakar Rally. Roma wheeled the Blue Oval racer to its first win at The Hungarian Baja and looks forward to taking on Dakar for the 28th time in his career. Finally, Guthrie, an experienced American off-road specialist, will try his hand at the tough 8,000-kilometer run alongside codriver Kellon Welch. Guthrie is a King of the Hammers champion and boasts a Baja 1000 win, so keep an eye on him to bring M-Sport Ford across the line up front.
“The Dakar Rally is the pinnacle of off-road racing, and it’s where legends are made,” said Mark Rushbrook, Ford Performance head. “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.”
He added, “This is a milestone moment for Ford Performance and our partners at M-Sport, and we’re ready to take on the challenge.”
M-Sport Ford fans are encouraged to follow the 2025 Dakar Rally on the team’s social media pages on Instagram, Facebook, and X when the trucks fire up on January 3rd through 17th, 2025.
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