After the Ford Raptor T1+ of four-time Dakar winner Carlos Sainz Sr. flipped in the earlier stages of the race, there was only one place for the Ford Performance crew to go, and that was up. Nani Roma and Alex Haro wheeled their desert racer to the Stage 10 win, followed by Mattias Ekstrom and Emil Bergkvist battling it out for the Stage 11 victory, which they took by 41 seconds. All that drama culminated in an impressive result for The Blue Oval, leaving Saudi Arabia with a podium finish to its name.
The Ford Raptor T1+ competed in the Ultimate category. Ekstrom pulled off a second-place showing in the Prologue, crossing the line less than one second back from the leader, before going on to finish second in Stage 5 and third in Stage 7. Fellow Ford Performance competitor Mitch Guthrie Jr. guided his Ford Raptor to a fifth-place finish overall, proving the Raptor T1+ has what it takes to perform on tough terrain.
“We can be very proud as a team that we were able to fight at the front and show good pace and great consistency,” Ekstrom said in a press release. “The quality of the Ford Raptor T1+ has been so good throughout this incredibly tough race. Now I am looking forward to coming back next year and pushing for the overall win.”
Ekstrom was outperformed by only two other racers, slotting into the final podium spot behind leader Yazeed Al-Rahji and Hank Lategan in second.
“The Dakar Rally is unlike any other motorsport challenge, and this year our team rose to the occasion,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance. “Mattias, Carlos, Mitch, Nani, and the entire team proved the capability of Ford Raptor T1+ and the resilience that defines Ford. This was a rally to remember, and I’m so proud of our team. We have proven that the Raptor has the speed and durability required to compete in the toughest environments on the planet and we now look forward to the rest of the FIA World Rally Raid Championship.”
Politics don't seem to be a factor in this area, at least.
Which will result in new products and experiences.
With over 800 horsepower and comprehensive suspension upgrades.
After wrapping up 2024 on top of the light commercial vehicle sales charts.
It's unclear how or if consumers will be impacted, however.
A remedy is currently under development.
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Great job team! Not an easy feat to accomplish!