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Ford’s triumphant comeback at Dakar Rally: Mitch Guthrie Jr’s stunning stage victory shakes Toyota dominance

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
January 6, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Ford’s triumphant comeback at Dakar Rally: Mitch Guthrie Jr’s stunning stage victory shakes Toyota dominance

Mitch Guthrie and Kellon Walch of the Ford M-Sport Team during the Prologue of the Dakar 2026 on January 3, 2026 around Yanbu, Saudi Arabia // Kin Marcin / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202601030616 // Usage for editorial use only //

Ford’s Stunning Dakar Rally Comeback: Mitch Guthrie Jr. Claims Victory in Stage 3!

In a breathtaking twist of fate at the 2026 Dakar Rally, Ford has launched a powerful counterattack against the previously dominant Toyota, as Mitch Guthrie Jr. snatched his first-ever stage victory in the cars category during the challenging Stage 3. This pivotal day was characterized by intricate navigation and costly blunders from rival teams, allowing Ford to strategically place all of its factory entries within the coveted top ten.

Stage 2 had seen Toyota emerge as a formidable force, but the rally’s third stage presented a different beast altogether. Forewarned by top contender Nasser Al-Attiyah, the day’s navigation proved to be a critical factor, particularly impacting those who raced out early. The stage was nothing short of a nightmare for Toyota’s Seth Quintero, who, following his impressive Stage 2 performance, faltered under pressure. Struggling to interpret the treacherous terrain, Quintero lost nearly an hour, effectively extinguishing any chance of Toyota continuing its winning streak.

As the dust settled, Ford seized the opportunity with open arms. Mattias Ekström, who had dazzled fans with a stunning prologue win, charged ahead at the start of Stage 3 but began to falter past the 303-kilometre mark. It was then that Guthrie, the 29-year-old American powerhouse, took command. With unshakeable confidence and razor-sharp precision, he navigated the challenging course while fending off seasoned competitors like Martin Prokop and the legendary Carlos Sainz.

Guthrie’s poise paid off as he crossed the finish line a remarkable two minutes and thirty seconds ahead of Prokop, marking a major milestone in his Dakar journey. Meanwhile, Toyota managed to salvage some semblance of dignity through Guy Botterill, who fought back from a tough Stage 2 to clinch a solid third place, preventing a total Ford sweep of the podium.

In another fascinating element of Stage 3, other competitors like Lucas Moraes and Cristina Gutiérrez from Dacia showcased impressive performances, securing fourth and fifth places respectively. This tightly contested battle kept racing icons Nani Roma and Carlos Sainz just outside the top five, emphasizing the fierce competition unfolding in the desert.

The ramifications of this stage extended beyond just podium placements. Al-Attiyah, who began the day sitting pretty at the top of the overall standings, faced significant setbacks, suffering a staggering 20-minute loss that saw him relinquish his lead. Neither Toyota nor Sébastien Loeb’s Dacia could capitalize on the misfortunes of their rivals, resulting in Guthrie’s ascension to the overall lead. Prokop now sits in second, with Ekström in third, completing a phenomenal Ford one-two-three sweep.

In an unprecedented turn of events, Ford now occupies all top five positions in the general classification after Stage 3—an extraordinary shift from Toyota’s earlier dominance. This dramatic outcome sends a clear message: the battle for the Dakar crown is far from settled, and Ford’s resurgence has thrown the race wide open. With the rally still unfolding, fans can expect even more thrilling action in the days to come!

Tags: 2025-dakar-rally2025-ford-championship2025-toyota-usa-track-and-field-championships2026-dakar-rallyDaciamitch-guthrie-jrNasser Al-Attiyahseth-quintero-2
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