In the immense bivouac of Bisha (Saudi Arabia), scene of the start of the 2025 Dakar, the Ford armada impresses: around sixty people are responsible for maintaining four Raptor T1+. This quartet includes the young American hopeful Mitch Guthrie, the former World Rallycross and DTM champion Mattias Ekström, as well as the title holder, Carlos Sainz. However, it is a fourth driver, less famous, who knows the Ford rally-raid program best.
Nani Roma is preparing to compete in his 28th Dakar, and his second for the brand at the Oval. In 2024, he piloted a Ranger to collect data for M-Sport engineers in the development of the current Raptor T1+. Also, the American 4×4 equipped with a Ford Mustang V8 is a bit “her baby”.
“The shakedown played on Wednesday went well. For the moment, there is no hierarchy between the four Fords. I think the reality of the Dakar will make the selection, with the first stages very tough. I have never won a Dakar without benefiting from the help of my team mates. And I helped teammates to win too. » A real “team player” than the 52-year-old Catalan.
With a driver of the caliber of Carlos Sainz in their ranks, Ford is already dreaming of a victory in the general classification from 2025. Healthy ambition, which Nani Roma is taking care of bringing back to earth. “ The goal is to write the history of Ford. But we must remain humble and cautious. Until now, no one has managed to win a Dakar on the first participation of a new car (apart from Porsche in 1984, then Peugeot in 1987 and Citroën with the ZX in 1991. Editor’s note).
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On this Dakar, we are the only ones starting from scratch, compared to the opposing manufacturers. Dacia benefited from Prodrive’s background with the Hunter (same operating team. Editor’s note)Toyota did not change its Hilux, and Mini kept the same chassis. We’ll see where we stand. »
Winner of the Dakar on a motorcycle in 2004, then in a car in 2014 (with Mini), Nani Roma finds it difficult to compare the Ford Raptor T1+ with the other 4x4s he has used in his career. “The Raptor is completely new. I sat comfortably in the cabin because Ford scanned my body measurements early in the vehicle creation process. I am the tallest rider in the team, and yet I am very comfortable. Perhaps like never before! It’s a very well thought out car. Sometimes I drove tense, poorly seated, and that increased fatigue during the rally. That shouldn’t be the case here. »
