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The addition of Mattias Ekström completes the Ford Performance driver lineup for January’s Dakar Rally, one of the world’s most demanding motorsport events.
Ford Performance is rounding out its Dakar Rally driver lineup with world-renowned rally and off-road driver Mattias Ekström. He will join Mitch Guthrie Jr., Nani Roma and Carlos Sainz Sr. in piloting the Ford Raptor T1+ in one of the world’s most demanding motorsport events.
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Ekström joins a Ford driver lineup for Dakar that already includes Mitch Guthrie Jr., Nani Roma and Carlos Sainz Sr.
“Bringing Mattias Ekström into the Ford Performance family is a big step forward for our Dakar program,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance.
Ekström, a two-time DTM champion, World Rallycross champion and experienced rally raid competitor; has made multiple Dakar Rally appearances. He is excited to join the lineup and to drive the Raptor T1+.
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Ekström has multiple Dakar Rally appearances to his credit and is a two-time DTM champion.
“There is also a lot of knowledge and experience in the team to back up the ambition – starting with the long motorsport heritage of Ford, proven track record of M-Sport, very impressive driver lineup, smart engineers, technicians, and the rest of the team,” he said. “I am in it to win it and I hope we will have very successful and great years ahead of us. I will do everything in my power to make it happen.”
What lies ahead
Ford Performance is committed to showcasing its off-road capabilities in rally raid racing and global competition efforts via entries and victories in the Baja 1000, Tatts-Finke Desert Race, and more. The addition of Mattias Ekström finalizes a strong driver lineup for the biggest challenge yet in Dakar, positioning Ford for a competitive push in the 2025 race with the Raptor T1+.
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