In one of the closest and most competitive editions in recent memory, Ford Racing finished remarkably strong at the two week long Dakar Rally, securing two spots on the overall podium and 3 of the top 5 spots. The top finishers include:
1st: Nasser Al-Attiyah / Fabian Lurquin — Dacia
2nd: Nani Roma / Alex Haro, Car #227 Ford Racing — +9:42
3rd: Mattias Ekström / Emil Bergkvist, Car #226 Ford Racing — +14:33
4th: Sébastien Loeb / Edouard Boulanger — Dacia
5th: Carlos Sainz / Lucas Cruz, Car #225 Ford Racing
This result marked a historic double podium for Ford, with Roma and Ekström keeping the Raptor T1+ at the sharp end across the brutal Saudi terrain.
Ford’s Stage Wins & Key Moments
Ford enjoyed six stage triumphs and standout performances through the rally:
- Prologue: Mattias Ekström led a Ford one-two, setting the tone early in the Raptor T1+ machine and grabbing the initial morale boost.
- Early Stage Success: American Mitch Guthrie Jr. grabbed a breakthrough Stage 3 victory for Ford, showcasing the Raptor’s pace deep in the desert.
- Stage 5: Nani Roma, Mitch Guthrie Jr., and a tightly packed Ford contingent swept the top spots, proving the team’s depth across conditions.
- Stage 7 & Final Stage: Ekström added more bullet points with a grand total of four stage wins, ultimately ending the rally with strong sprint performances and the bronze overall.
Though the ultimate overall win went to Dacia’s all-star veteran Nasser Al-Attiyah, Ford’s consistency and adaptability were evident with frequent top finishes and powerful pace when it counted. The winner was congratulated by the Ford Racing teams but told to watch out in 2027 because Ford Racing would be back and would be stronger than ever.
Dramatic Moments & Team Resilience
Nani Roma’s “Miracle” Podium Run
One of the most dramatic stories from the rally was Nani Roma’s gravel-scraping battle to second overall. During stage 11, a crash into a mound hammered his transmission and left a wheel in ruins. He crossed the line on three wheels, dragging an axle, the vehicle was, according to Roma “mortally wounded”. Romain Dumas stopped and sacrificed his own Raptor and hopes of a Dakar finish to donate parts and get Roma back in the race. In a repair time that would be respectable in any competition, they were out on course with only 90 minutes of time left to travel 183 km (113 miles). With the stage finish just over 5 miles away, another twist of fate had the car run out of fuel. Incredibly, Laia Sanz, an incredible female athlete and also competing in a T1+ Raptor turned around and towed them to the control with only 60 seconds left. The Spaniard later called the escape “a miracle”, reflecting the emotional survival in one of rallying’s toughest environments.
Ekström’s Consistent Charge
Mattias Ekström, in typical flat-out fashion, carved through stages with speed and precision, taking multiple stage wins and keeping Ford in podium range throughout the second week. His relentless approach underscored Ford’s growth as a legitimate Dakar contender.
Quotes & Reactions
From the Ford camp:
“Dakar is the ultimate proving ground, not just for outright speed, but for durability, teamwork, and trust in the vehicle,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Racing.
From Nani Roma (after the final stage):
Roma, reflecting on his miraculous run to second, and his first podium since his recovery from cancer, summed up the drama of Dakar with a raw sentiment about surviving what many thought would be an end to his race, a potent reminder of Dakar’s unforgiving nature.
What This Means for Ford Racing & Dakar
Ford’s 2026 Dakar Rally campaign will be remembered as a breakthrough performance, not just for podiums but for showing sustained pace and mechanical resilience across 8,000+ km of sand, rocks, and relentless dunes. While it fell short of the overall win, the double podium and expanded stage win tally cement Ford’s Raptor T1+ as a genuine World Rally-Raid contender alongside seasoned rivals like Dacia and Toyota.
For hardcore off-road fans and Bronco Nation members alike, this Dakar shows what Ford engineering and driver talent can achieve in the world’s toughest race, and it sets an exciting baseline for 2027 and beyond.
Comments
You must log in or register to post here.