Mattias Ekstrom said he’s able to compete within the Dakar Rally for the following 15 years if that's what it takes to win probably the most prestigious rally on the earth.
Although Ekstrom is best known for his success in DTM, where he won two titles with Abt Audi, in recent times Ekstrom has increasingly focused on avenues beyond track racing.
After success within the World Rallycross Championship and winning the world title in 2016 along with his own EKS squad, the Swede made his Dakar debut aboard Yamaha's lightweight prototype in 2021, before moving as much as the highest class a 12 months in a while Audi's recent hybrid challenger.
Beating rally legends Stephane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz Sr., Ekstrom claimed 4 stage wins and a best finish of ninth, despite technical problems that dogged him throughout the three years of the Audi RS Q e-tron program.
Turning now to Ford's recent rally project with the Raptor T1, the 46-year-old said he would accept nothing lower than winning the Dakar, even when it takes one other 15 tries.
“I'm trying to do the perfect Dakar, it's my dream,” Ekstrom told Motorsport.com Netherlands. “I will fight until I win. It doesn't matter if it takes one, two, 10 or 15 years. I will keep doing this until I win.”
Stephane Peterhansel, Team Audi Sport, Mattias Ekstrom, Team Audi Sport and Carlos Sainz Sr, Team Audi Sport
Photo: Audi Communications Motorsport
Ekstrom cited the instance of teammate Sainz senior, who became the oldest driver to win the Dakar after winning for the fourth time this 12 months on the age of 61.
“So technically I still have 15 years left,” he joked. “Carlos is slightly older than me. I would like to see if I'm still that good [then]but we still have 15 possibilities!
“[If I win] Perhaps I’ll come back, but I guarantee that I won’t reach Stephane Peterhansel's record [of 14 wins, including eight in cars]. They're a bit too distant, but one win could be great for me.
Ekstrom's third appearance within the Dakar's top class on the wheel of an Audi ended after a day of rest in the midst of the rally, as quite a few technical problems with the RS Q e-tron ruled him out of any likelihood of winning the general classification.
Halfway through the rally he was second, 20 minutes behind teammate and eventual winner Sainz Sr.
However, Ekstrom insists that the troubles he has faced this 12 months won’t change his approach for 2025, as he plans to show up the wick again within the second half of the competition.
“Everyone is firing on all cylinders,” he said. “The pace may be very fierce and it's about who drops the ball first.
“The leading group shall be getting smaller and I feel that if we’re among the many leaders on the remaining day, I hope we are going to see something very nice.
“We have to survive the first part and then repair the car on the rest day. I'm especially looking forward to the second part.”
In September, Ekstrom announced he was ending his 23-year partnership with Audi, allegedly since the Ingolstadt-based brand now not has a Dakar program to cover it in 2025.
Then got here the news that he could be teaming up with Ford for its high-profile Dakar entry and would have the chance to check its recent competitor within the Rally of Morocco.
Although he didn't like the top result, the Swede was impressed with the speed of the brand new Raptor developed jointly by Ford Performance and M-Sport.
Ford Raptor T1+
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
“When it comes to service, that's what I've always said [it depends upon] how much fun you have behind the wheel,” he said. “When this ratio is high, it often stays the identical [case] because I'm doing well with regards to results.
“The service is amazing. As for the chassis, I feel like I can drive it nonetheless I need. It's very direct within the corners.”
On his Dakar prospects, he added: “That's probably why I'm so pleased. In my world we shall be competitive.
“I had the identical feeling in Morocco. We didn't have a flawless rally – we had some minor problems – but the sensation contained in the automobile was superb.
“When you have a good feeling and you feel like you can ride the way you want, that's the best feeling you can have.”
Ford has assembled a robust lineup of drivers for its factory Dakar start in January, with Ekstrom joined by Sainz Sr, two-time champion Nani Roma and Mitch Guthrie Jr.
In addition to the Dakar and the broader World Rally-Raid Championship, Ekstrom also gained off-road experience in Extreme E, ending second within the 2023 championship with the Sainz XE team.
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