The double champion of the Dakar Rally Nani Roma has a bold vision: to help M-Sport Ford achieve the unthinkable—win the toughest rally in the world on their first participation with the all-new Raptor T1+.
Roma, a Dakar legend with victories on both two and four wheels, has spent the last year leading the development of the Raptor alongside motorsport icons like Carlos Sainz, Mattias Ekströmand the rising star Mitch Guthrie Jr.. After more than 15,000 km of grueling testsincluding an impressive victory at Hungarian trouble and a solid performance Morocco RallyRoma believes the Raptor has the pace to challenge the established juggernauts of off-road rallying.
“We believe we are competitive, and that is the most important part of this Dakar,” Roma told reporters. “We are here to change history. »
The Challenge: The Difficult Rise of a New Coming
No entirely new project has ever conquered the Dakar Rally on its first attempt, and Roma is fully aware of the obstacles M-Sport faces.
“The Dakar Rally is such a difficult rally,” Rome admitted. “Toyota, Mini and Dacia have proven their durability. Our Raptor is the only car built completely from scratch, so reliability is our biggest question mark. »
Roma highlighted the uniqueness of Ford’s approach, pointing out that Toyota’s Hilux Evos et le JCW Rally de Mini are evolutionary designs, while the Dacia Sandrider made an impressive debut in Morocco but benefits from a significant rallying heritage. On the other hand, the M-Sport Raptor is brand newand its success depends on the team’s preparation for the grueling 12 stages of the Dakar through the unforgiving terrain of Saudi Arabia.
The Raptor’s Competitive Advantage
Despite concerns about reliability, Roma is confident in the Raptor’s raw speed and the team’s expertise. A key element of their optimism is Carlos Sainza multiple Dakar champion who brings crucial knowledge 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 support,” Roma said. “It’s completely different from the cars we’ve driven before, but it’s competitive. »
Roma also highlighted the meticulous preparation carried out by M-Sport engineers and team principal Matt Wilson. By ensuring the cars are race-ready before they even arrive in Saudi Arabia, the team hopes to eliminate the pitfalls that often plague first attempts.
“We prepared well,” Roma added. “The cars are ready. Just put in the gas, take a quick test drive in Arabia, and they’re ready for the Prologue. »
High Stakes, No Regrets
The stakes have never been higher for Ford’s first foray into the top level of the Dakar. While Toyota remains the favorite with its battle-tested Hilux, Roma believes the Raptor has the potential to pull off a historic upset.
“Ford is here to compete and win. This brand has the spirit of changing the history of sports,” Roma said. “If something happens and we don’t win, it’s important to leave with no regrets, knowing that we gave everything. »
The Road to Follow
The 2025 Dakar Rally isn’t just a test of M-Sport’s Raptor; it is a test of the resilience and innovation of the entire team. With Roma, Sainz, Ekström and Guthrie behind the wheel, Ford aims to prove that courage and preparation can overcome obstacles.
As the Raptor T1+ prepares to take on the desert, one thing is clear: M-Sport Ford is not just entering the Dakar; they aim to redefine it.
