Ford Performance Celebrates Podium at 2025 Dakar Rally

COLOGNE, Germany - Ford Performance today concluded an unforgettable 2025 Dakar Rally with a third-place podium finish in the Ultimate category in its debut year with the Ford Raptor T1+.

After over two weeks of gruelling racing through some of the harshest terrains on the planet, Team Ford M-Sport’s Mattias Ekström and Emil Bergkvist claimed third place overall in Saudi Arbia, capping their rally with a decisive Stage 11 victory in the Empty Quarter.

Meanwhile, Mitch Guthrie Jr., in his first Dakar Rally in the Ultimate class and one of few Americans competing, ran an impressive race with co-driver Kellon Walch in their Raptor T1+, landing fifth overall in the rally.

With a stage win for Nani Roma as well, the Raptor T1+ has shown that it has what it takes to compete with the best on the global stage.

“We can be very proud as a team that we were able to fight at the front and show good pace and great consistency,” said Matthias Ekström. “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.”

This year’s format was one of the most challenging in the event’s history, as the 48h Chrono and Marathon stages marked the first half of the race, and the Empty Quarter, a no-man's land of desert and dunes, met competitors in the final stages. It was also marked by incredible feats from Carlos Sainz Sr., Mitch Guthrie Jr., and Nani Roma. Sainz delivered one of the rally’s most epic moments during the 48-hour chrono stage. After an early roll, he and co-driver Lucas Cruz refused to give up, and with crucial assistance from teammate Mitch Guthrie Jr., the legendary driver fought back to finish the stage.

Nani Roma added a commanding comeback win in Stage 10, navigating treacherous dunes to outpace the competition. Roma’s win marked his first stage win (and the first stage win for the Ford M-Sport team) in a decade and underscored the breadth of talent within Team Ford M-Sport and the Raptor T1+’s ability to excel under extreme conditions.

“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.”

“We have had some real highs and some real lows during this incredible race,” said Matthew Wilson, Team Principal, Team Ford M-Sport. “Losing Carlos so early in the race and the bitter disappointment for Nani with his issues, was tough for the team but we rallied around Matthias and Mitch and ultimately delivered a podium and two cars in the top five which, in our first full outing with the Ford Raptor T1+, is a great start to the whole programme. It’s been a hell of an experience – the team has been incredible over the last three weeks but now we focus on the rest of the Rally Raid season ahead with renewed enthusiasm and confidence.”