Ford, Carlos Sainz Sr to enter 2025 Dakar rally with Raptor

From flying in the sand dunes of Baja in Mexico, Ford has its sights set in conquering the world’s most grueling rally together with the help of the most successful drivers in the desert.

The Blue Oval has released teaser images of the new Ford Raptor for the 2025 Dakar Rally. And yes, it won’t be based on the F-150, the Bronco, or even the Ranger. It will be a fully bespoke rally raid car hence the reason why it’s only called the Raptor.

For now, powertrain details are yet to be revealed about the Ford Raptor but the brand has shown who will be the minds and the pilots behind the rally project.

Ford is turning to M-Sport for the Raptor Dakar project. For those who don’t know who M-Sport is, it’s the same British company that built the rally versions of the Escort, Focus, Fiesta, and the current Puma that Ford is using in the WRC.

The Blue Oval will also have Dakar rally legends getting behing the wheel of the Raptor. One is Nani Roma – a two-time Dakar rally champion that won on both two and four wheels; while the other is El Matador himself, Carlos Sainz Sr.

Sainz Sr. won the Dakar rally this year with Audi, and is looking to make it five in as many manufacturers under the Blue Oval brand. At the same time, Sainz Sr. is reunited with Ford M-Sport as he previously drove the Escort and Focus for the team in the WRC.

Ford Performance says they are now actively testing the 2025 Raptor ahead of its debut in the Saudi Arabian desert next year.

“Taking on such an enormous challenge requires the best engineers, designers, team members, navigators and drivers, and in Nani Roma and Carlos Sainz Sr, we have two of the most experienced and successful drivers in Dakar history. The Ford Raptor is already showing promising signs in testing and having two of the best drivers in the world with us for the ride gives us confidence for the continued development of the truck,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsport.