Two-time Dakar Rally champion Nani Roma has a bold vision: to help M-Sport Ford achieve the unthinkable—win the world’s toughest rally on their debut with the brand-new Raptor T1+.
Roma, a legend of the Dakar with victories on both two wheels and four, has spent the past year spearheading development of the Raptor alongside motorsport icons like Carlos Sainz, Mattias Ekström, and rising star Mitch Guthrie Jr.. After over 15,000 km of grueling testing, including an impressive victory at the Hungarian Baja and a strong showing at the Rallye du Maroc, Roma believes the Raptor has the pace to challenge the established juggernauts of cross-country rallying.
“We believe that we are competitive, and this is the most important part about this Dakar,” Roma told reporters. “We’re here to change history.”
The Challenge: A Newcomer’s Uphill Battle
No entirely new project has ever conquered the Dakar Rally on its first attempt, and Roma is acutely aware of the odds stacked against M-Sport.
“The Dakar Rally is such a hard rally,” Roma admitted. “Toyota, Mini, and Dacia have proven durability. Our Raptor is the only car built entirely from scratch, so reliability is our biggest question mark.”
Roma emphasized the uniqueness of Ford’s approach, pointing out that Toyota’s Hilux Evo and Mini’s JCW Rally are evolutionary designs, while the Dacia Sandrider debuted strongly in Morocco but benefits from significant rally heritage. By contrast, M-Sport’s Raptor is brand-new, and its success hinges on how well the team has prepared for Dakar’s grueling 12 stages across Saudi Arabia’s unforgiving terrain.
The Raptor’s Competitive Edge
Despite concerns over reliability, Roma is confident in the Raptor’s raw speed and the expertise of the team. Key to their optimism is Carlos Sainz, a multiple Dakar champion who brings critical insight from his time with Audi’s victorious program.
“Carlos coming from a winning car last year and feeling comfortable in the Raptor is a huge endorsement,” Roma said. “It’s completely different from the cars we’ve driven before, but it’s competitive.”
Roma also highlighted the meticulous preparation led by M-Sport’s engineers and team principal Matt Wilson. By ensuring the cars were race-ready before they even reached Saudi Arabia, the team hopes to eliminate the pitfalls that often plague debut efforts.
“We’ve prepared well,” Roma added. “The cars are ready. You just need to put petrol in them, do a quick shakedown in Saudi, and they’re good to go for the Prologue.”
High Stakes, No Regrets
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Ford’s first foray into Dakar’s top tier. While Toyota remains the favorite with its battle-tested Hilux, Roma believes that the Raptor has the potential to deliver a historic upset.
“Ford is here to compete and win. This brand has the spirit to change the history of the sport,” Roma declared. “If something happens and we don’t win, it’s important to leave without regrets, knowing we gave everything.”
The Road Ahead
The 2025 Dakar Rally isn’t just a test of M-Sport’s Raptor; it’s a test of the entire team’s resilience and innovation. With Roma, Sainz, Ekström, and Guthrie at the wheel, Ford aims to prove that audacity and preparation can overcome the odds.
As the Raptor T1+ prepares to take on the desert, one thing is clear: M-Sport Ford isn’t just entering the Dakar; they’re aiming to redefine it.