Ford Roars Back in Stage 5 of Dakar 2026, But Toyota’s Grip on Overall Lead Tightens!
In a thrilling pulse-pounding showdown at the 2026 Dakar Rally, Ford has made headlines as it clinched a spectacular 1-2-3 finish during the grueling fifth stage, yet Toyota’s Henk Lategan remains firmly in the driver’s seat for the overall lead. The stage, a demanding 371 kilometers from Al-Ula to Hail, turned into a fierce battle primarily between Ford teammates Mitch Guthrie and Nani Roma, as they navigated the treacherous terrain en route to the heart of Saudi Arabia.
Guthrie launched into action in his #222 Ford Raptor, displaying dominance and speed right from the start, establishing a lead of over a minute against his teammate’s #228 Ford Raptor. Meanwhile, two-time Dakar champion Roma stumbled initially, slipping to third place behind Dacia’s Lucas Moraes at the halfway mark. However, resilience was key for Roma, who clawed his way back, closing the gap to just 21 seconds at the penultimate checkpoint with a blistering pace.
As the finish line loomed, the tension was palpable. Roma made a daring move to take the lead, crossing the line just four seconds ahead of Guthrie. But victory was fleeting for Roma, as a hefty 1-minute and 10-second penalty for overspeeding cruelly snatched his triumph away, reinstating Guthrie as the victor. This win marked Guthrie as the first double-stage winner in this 48th edition of Dakar, having previously triumphed in Stage 3.
The podium was rounded out by MD Sports’ Martin Prokop, who secured a commendable third place in his customer Raptor. Ford’s resurgence was further underscored by strong performances from Dennis Krotov, Mattias Ekstrom, and Carlos Sainz Sr., who finished fifth, sixth, and seventh respectively. The Blue Oval’s dominance was a stark contrast to the previous day’s challenges, where no Ford driver cracked the top ten during the marathon stage.
In a dramatic twist, reigning World Rally-Raid Champion Moraes showcased his skills, piloting his Dacia Sandrider to a commendable fourth place—3 minutes and 38 seconds behind the winning time. While Ford basked in the glory of their comeback, Toyota’s fortunes took a hit. After boasting a resounding seven-minute victory in Stage 4, the team struggled on Thursday, with Joao Ferreira finishing eighth as the best-performing Hilux.
Lategan, last year’s runner-up, faced a disheartening fate as he opened the stage on a day when motorbikes traversed a different route, leading to a lack of tracks to follow. This misfortune cost him nearly 13 minutes, leaving him provisionally in 16th place. Meanwhile, nine-time World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb could only manage an 11th place finish, losing further ground to both Toyota and Ford competitors.
Nasser Al-Attiyah’s day was equally fraught, initially finishing ahead of his teammate Loeb, only to be penalized with two minutes, dropping him to 15th overall. Despite the setbacks, Lategan clings to the general classification lead for Toyota, albeit with a shrinking margin of 3 minutes and 17 seconds over Al-Attiyah. The next four positions are dominated by Ford drivers, showcasing the competitive fire among the top four, who are separated by a mere 8 minutes and 33 seconds.
As the tension builds with just one stage remaining before the official rest day in Riyadh, the stakes have never been higher. Will Ford capitalize on its momentum, or can Toyota rally and reclaim its dominance? The Dakar Rally continues to captivate and surprise, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Only time will tell how this epic saga unfolds!
