Ford fine-tunes the Raptor T1+ for the 2026 Dakar Rally

Ford M-Sport has revealed the modifications implemented on the Raptor T1+ that it will use in the 2026 Dakar Rally, scheduled from January 3 to 17, starting and finishing in Yanbu. The team confirmed that Carlos Sainz, Mattias Ekström, Nani Roma, and Mitch Guthrie Jr. will return as official drivers for the American manufacturer's second participation in the Ultimate category.

The updates include lightweight bodywork, gullwing doors, laminated polycarbonate windshield, and front DRL headlights. The 5.0-liter Coyote Darkhorse V8 engine remains unchanged after proving its reliability on its debut. Ford M-Sport developed the improvements based on data collected during the 2025 Dakar, where Ekström finished third overall in the Ultimate category.

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The development program focused on three main areas according to Carlos Sainz: suspension, braking system, and transmission. The Spanish driver worked directly with engineers from the project's inception to adapt the vehicle to the specific conditions of Saudi Arabia.

Sainz will compete again alongside Lucas Cruz in car #225. The pairing is seeking their first victory with Ford after previously winning with Volkswagen, Peugeot, Mini, and Audi. During the 2025 Dakar, Sainz suffered a rollover at kilometer 327 of the 48-hour stage, which took him out of contention.

Ekström, who achieved the best result for Ford in 2025 with his third place, will drive the #226 alongside Swedish co-driver Emil Bergkvist. The Nordic duo also claimed victory in Stage 11 in the Empty Quarter during the previous edition.

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Team Experience

Nani Roma will race with #227 accompanied by Álex Haro. The Catalan was responsible for the Raptor T1+'s first stage victory during the team's debut in 2025. Roma has over 30 years of Dakar experience, including victories on motorcycles (2004) and in cars (2014).

Mitch Guthrie Jr. will complete the lineup with #228 alongside Kellon Walch. The American finished fifth overall in the Ultimate category during his first participation in the top class, after previously competing in the Challenger division. Guthrie Jr. noted that the team had more preparation time with the vehicle for this edition.

The 2026 route will include approximately 5,000 kilometers of timed special stages and 2,500 kilometers of liaison sections. The rally will feature two consecutive marathon stages where drivers must overnight in basic camps without assistance from their teams, performing necessary repairs on their own.

The 2026 Dakar will open the fifth season of the W2RC World Rally-Raid Championship. After the Saudi rally, the calendar continues with the BP Ultimate Rally Raid in Portugal (March), Desafío Ruta 40 in Argentina (May), Rallye du Maroc (September-October), and Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge (November).

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Ford M-Sport will look to improve on its debut results, where in addition to Ekström's podium, Guthrie Jr. finished fifth and Roma won a stage. The modifications implemented on the Raptor T1+ aim to maintain the competitiveness demonstrated in 2025 and address the reliability issues that affected Sainz during the first week of competition.