Ford Performance has unveiled a sneak peek at their 2025 Dakar Rally Ford Raptor, accompanied by the exciting news that off-road icons Carlos Sainz Sr. and Nani Roma will be among the drivers commanding the vehicle.
For Sainz, a seasoned veteran seeking his fifth Dakar Rally title, the return to Ford marks a reunion with a brand integral to his illustrious four-decade-long racing career. Roma, a two-time Dakar winner, extends his partnership with Ford and M-Sport following his successful 2024 campaign driving the Ford M-Sport T1+ Ranger.
Active testing of the 2025 Ford Raptor has already commenced as Ford Performance gears up for the grueling challenge of the Dakar Rally, renowned as one of the toughest races on the planet.
Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsport, expressed the magnitude of Ford’s ambitions in off-road racing, stating, “The scale of our ambitions in off-road racing are unparalleled in Ford’s recent history, and nothing is more clear in that ambition than our challenge to take the Ford Raptor to the legendary Dakar rally.”
Rushbrook continued, highlighting the significance of having two seasoned drivers like Sainz and Roma onboard, stating, “Taking on such an enormous challenge requires the best engineers, designers, team members, navigators, and drivers, and in Nani Roma and Carlos Sainz Sr, we have two of the most experienced and successful drivers in Dakar history.”
Matthew Wilson, M-Sport director, and Dakar team manager, echoed Rushbrook’s sentiments. He expressed his delight in welcoming Roma back to the team and praised Sainz’s legendary status in the sport. Wilson remarked, “Carlos is a legend of our sport and one of the most successful drivers across all formats of off-road racing.”
Wilson also emphasized the importance of their return to Ford and M-Sport, stating, “His decision to return to Ford and M-Sport after so many years is a huge boost for the team and it is great to have him back in the extended Ford family ready to take on the huge challenge that Dakar presents.”
With testing already underway, Ford Performance and its esteemed drivers are primed to push the boundaries of off-road racing with the 2025 Ford Raptor, leveraging their collective expertise to tackle the formidable terrain of the Dakar Rally.
