Mattias Ekström joins Ford for Dakar 2025 after leaving Audi

Ford Performance has confirmed the addition of Mattias Ekström to its team for the 2025 Dakar Rally. The Swedish driver, with a long track record in DTM and World Rallycross, will bring his experience in rally and off-road competitions to the team.
Ekström, two-time DTM champion and world rallycross champion, will be joined by Mitch Guthrie Jr, Nani Roma, and Carlos Sainz Sr, driving the Ford Raptor T1+.

Farewell to Audi and new stage with Ford

Mattias Ekström recently ended his collaboration of more than 20 years with Audi, a relationship that began in 2001. During his time with Audi, Ekström accumulated titles and contributed to the development of various racing vehicles. In his honor, Audi held an event at its Ingolstadt headquarters, where Ekström's significance in the brand's history was highlighted.

In addition to his DTM achievements, the Swedish driver was part of major victories at the 24 Hours of Spa and rallycross.

Ekström's Experience in the Dakar

In recent years, Ekström has excelled in rally raid competitions, including the Dakar Rally. In 2022, he achieved Audi's first stage victory, and in 2024, he added four more wins. His performance in these events positions him as a reliable competitor in the rally raid field.
With the experience he has gained, Ekström aims to help Ford's team achieve strong results in the 2025 Dakar Rally, backed by a highly skilled technical team and the Ford Raptor T1+.

Preparations for the 2025 Dakar

Ekström will make his debut with Ford in the Rally du Maroc, where he will put the Ford Raptor T1+ to the test in official competition. Ford Performance has demonstrated its potential in off-road races and expects the combination of Ekström's experience and the vehicle's performance to lead to a successful outcome in the 2025 Dakar Rally.