Ford prepares for Dakar 2025 with new rally Raptor T1+

Ford Performance and M-Sport have prepared a new version of the rally Raptor T1+, which they will use this season in several rallies. This will be their preparation for debuting in the 2025 Dakar Rally, kicking off Ford's campaign in this iconic event.

In the 2024 Dakar, Ford fielded their team for the first time, but it was treated solely as a test. Although the drivers achieved decent results, the main goal was to gain experience and observe the competition. The cars were not the newest, as they were based on the body of the previous generation Ranger. The real sporting debut will come in 2025.

Ford has now presented the current version of the rally car, which no longer resembles a factory vehicle but at least references the current look of the Ranger. It's unclear if it references the Ranger or the F-150. However, the car has been named Ford Raptor T1+. The Ford brand will join other manufacturers, including Toyota and Dacia, competing in next year's Dakar, the longest-running rally in the world.

The vehicle will be powered by a V8, a 5-liter engine based on the Coyote design. The suspension is an independent system supported by a tubular construction. Behind the new Ford Raptor T1+ wheel will be four teams of drivers and co-drivers, including rally legends Carlos Sainz Sr. with co-driver Lucas Cruz and Nani Roma with co-driver Alex Haro. Additional teams are still being prepared.

The hired drivers are experienced Dakar rally competitors. Besides his performances in the WRC, Carlos Sainz excels in desert rallies. He is this year's winner (driving an Audi) and previously won the Dakar in 2020 (Mini), 2018 (Peugeot), and 2010 (Volkswagen).

Nani Roma hasn't achieved as many victories, but his experience is unquestionable. He won Dakar for the first time on a KTM motorcycle in 2004. Ten years later, he achieved victory by car for the Mini team.

An essential element of the rally puzzle is the support from Red Bull, which has been the biggest sponsor of the best teams in the Dakar Rally for years.

After its recent debut at the Goodwood Festival, Ford has already outlined its program for this year. It will participate in selected rallies in preparation for Dakar.

The new car's first appearance will be on August 8-10 at Baja Hungary. This rally is completely different from Dakar, as it mostly takes place on twisting, narrow routes. In October, the Ford Raptor T1+ will compete in the Morocco Rally, which resembles the Arabian Dakar routes. The Dacia Sandrider, with Sebastien Loeb and Nasser Al-Attiyah behind the wheel, will also debut in this rally.