Ford Prepares for 2025 Dakar Rally

One of the greatest challenges of off-road racing is the annual Dakar Rally. Ford Performance and M-Sport will compete in the rally’s coveted T1+ class from January 3–17, 2025, bringing the Raptor T1+ to the harsh desert landscape of Saudi Arabia. There are twelve stages, spanning from Bisha to Shubaytah, with more than 5,000 miles of harsh terrain and requiring precision and diligence to tackle the event’s unpredictable weather and terrain. The Ford crew is prepared to deliver this year, demonstrating its dedication to strength, durability, and cutting-edge technology.

“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.”

The Raptor T1+ was designed specifically to handle the most difficult tasks in Dakar’s esteemed T1+ class. The vehicle is designed for optimal performance in harsh environments and comes with a lightweight yet sturdy chassis, a Ford Coyote-based V8 engine, and a cutting-edge FOX suspension. It is ready to face the harsh heat and rough terrain that characterize Dakar after undergoing a rigorous testing process.

The drivers on Ford’s 2025 Dakar team are outstanding, and each one brings a special set of skills to the table, including four-time Dakar champion and legendary figure in motorsport, Carlos Sainz Sr., rallycross, DTM, and Dakar success story Mattias Ekström, King of the Hammers winner Mitch Guthrie Jr., and two-time Dakar champion Nani Roma.

Ford’s collaboration with M-Sport, a pioneer in rally racing engineering, is the foundation of this year’s Dakar campaign. Ford and M-Sport collaborated to create the Raptor T1+, fusing cutting-edge technology with decades of racing expertise.

“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.”

The Raptor T1+ and Ford team will be showing what they’re made of out in the desert this January, and you won’t want to miss it! For the most recent information about Ford racing and motorsports, be sure to keep reading our blog at Keller Brothers Ford!