Ford says it desires to “own” the world of rallying, which is why it should add a factory programme for the Dakar Rally in 2025.
The American brand already has a robust presence in off-road competition with a semi-factory team within the World Rally Championship and official entries within the Baja 1000 and Finke Desert Race in Australia, but is now expanding into off-road rallying in partnership with M-Sport.
The company made its first public appearance of the Raptor T1+ on the Goodwood Festival of Speed on Friday, having already accomplished 10,000km of personal testing with the V8-powered automobile.
Four-time Dakar winner Carlos Sainz and two-time champion Nani Roma are set to guide the trouble, with the identities of the opposite two drivers set to be announced at a later date.
Ford's participation within the two-week marathon in Saudi Arabia is a component of the corporate's ambition to dominate rallying across all disciplines, in accordance with motorsport boss Mark Rushbrook.
“We’re excited. We want to own off-road and rally,” Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports, told Motorsport.com.
“Everything we do in the WRC is fantastic, whether in Finke, Baja or King of the Hammers, but we are thrilled to have this brand new truck from M-Sport, with Nani and Carlos, to take part in the Dakar. It is the ultimate challenge.”
Ford Raptor T1+
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Ford hosted a research trip to Dakar earlier this 12 months, showing off an upgraded version of the NWM-built Ranger to higher understand the ins and outs of the event, while it also builds an all-new vehicle for its full-fledged factory program in 2025.
Rushbrook explained that Ford was attracted each by the challenge and the appeal of the Dakar, which stays probably the most prestigious off-road rally on the earth.
“All Baja races are great competitions, Finke is great, [so is] King of the Hammers. There are so many good races outside of racing, some more regional or less local than others,” he said.
“But we felt that the Dakar was the largest challenge here – the length of the race and the interest from everywhere in the world.
“It's an enormous challenge. All off-road races are tough in alternative ways. Because the Dakar is so long, so many long days in so many days, it tests not only the machine but in addition the individuals, their strength.
“We know from our previous efforts this year with the Ford Ranger, we know how tough it is. So we know what a challenge we've signed up for, but we're excited about it.”
Automakers typically approved motorsports programs for a set time period, and the board periodically evaluated whether to proceed them, taking into consideration aspects akin to return on investment, funds and overall economic conditions.
Ford Raptor T1+
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
However, Rushbrook said there was “no set time” for Ford’s Dakar project, adding: “It’s not like we win and we’re out.”
“As I said, we want to own off-road. So for an indefinite period. If it makes sense, why would we stop?”
