Mattias Ekstrom Dominates Dakar 2026 Prologue, Ford Secures Impressive 1-2 Finish!
In a thrilling start to the 2026 Dakar Rally, veteran driver Mattias Ekstrom has sent shockwaves through the competition by clinching victory in the Prologue, showcasing Ford’s formidable presence in this year’s event. The excitement kicked off on January 3rd in the scenic Saudi Arabian port city of Yanbu, where a total of 72 elite cars revved their engines in the Ultimate class, ready to tackle the grueling terrain.
The Prologue presented a challenging 95-kilometer route, but with only 22 kilometers officially timed, it was a high-stakes game of precision and speed. Behind the wheel of a roaring V8-powered Ford Raptor, Ekstrom blazed through the course, clocking an impressive time of 10 minutes and 48.7 seconds. This remarkable feat marks Ekstrom’s third Prologue victory in just five attempts, following his previous triumphs with Audi in 2023 and 2024.
Teammate Mitch Guthrie trailed closely, finishing a mere eight seconds behind Ekstrom, securing a sensational 1-2 finish for Ford. As the American automotive giant makes its second factory appearance at Dakar, this performance sets a powerful tone for the fierce competition ahead.
The battle for the podium intensified with X-raid’s Guillaume de Mevius, who finished just two-tenths of a second behind Guthrie, establishing Mini as Ford’s closest adversary in the Prologue. Notably, de Mevius was partnered with the legendary four-time Dakar-winning navigator Mathieu Baumel, who made a triumphant return to competition after a life-altering accident that resulted in the loss of his right leg.
Renowned rally champion Nasser Al-Attiyah showcased Dacia’s prowess by finishing in fourth place, just three-tenths behind de Mevius. Hot on his heels was Toyota’s Seth Quintero, securing fifth place, while reigning champion Yazeed Al-Rajhi occupied the sixth spot in his Overdrive-run Hilux. Eryk Goczal made headlines by finishing seventh in EnergyLand’s customer Toyota, matching the times of Quintero and Al-Rajhi to the second!
The legendary Carlos Sainz Sr made his return to the Dakar Rally after an early exit last year, guiding his Ford to a solid eighth place, finishing 15 seconds behind his teammate Ekstrom. The underdog Century marque’s Matthieu Serradori claimed ninth, while Toyota South Africa’s Saood Variawa rounded out a competitive top ten.
In a surprising twist, nine-time World Rally champion Sebastien Loeb’s Prologue was relatively subdued, landing him in 17th place, more than half a minute behind the day’s fastest time. Loeb was closely followed by teammate Lucas Moraes, who transitioned to Dacia after a victorious 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship with Toyota.
While the Prologue times do not factor into the overall classification, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The ten fastest drivers will earn the coveted right to select their starting positions for the first full stage in Yanbu, setting the stage for an electrifying race ahead.
As the Dakar Rally unfolds, all eyes will be on Ekstrom and Ford as they aim to maintain their momentum and chase glory in one of the most demanding motorsport events on the planet. The roar of engines and the thrill of competition are just getting started, and the world is watching!
