Swedish racing driver Mattias Ekström has officially joined Ford Performance for the upcoming 2025 Dakar Rally.
This announcement marks a new chapter in Ekström’s illustrious career, which has spanned over two decades and includes multiple championships across various racing disciplines.
His track record includes victories in various series such as DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), World Rallycross Championship, and multiple appearances at the Dakar Rally itself. This wealth of experience will undoubtedly benefit Ford as they aim to establish themselves as a dominant force in rally raid competitions.
Mattias Ekström’s transition to Ford Performance comes after a long and successful tenure with Team Audi Sport, where he established himself as one of the premier drivers in rally and touring car racing.
Ekstrom has been a part of Audi’s rally raid effort with the RS Q e-tron hybrid challenger for the last three years, before the manufacturer terminated the programme early after Sainz’s remarkable victory in January this year.
The 46-year old finished ninth in the team’s maiden Dakar in 2022, mechanical issues and accidents plagued his next two starts. The 2024 Dakar saw him win the Prologue and Stage #8, but was set back by breakdowns that relegated him to twenty-sixth.
Ekström’s decision to join Ford is not only a testament to his driving prowess but also reflects the strategic direction that Ford is taking in the highly competitive world of rally raid events.
“Joining the Ford Dakar programme is really exciting for me,” he said. “Ford Performance and M-Sport have built a vehicle that looks, sounds, and drives awesome, and we all have a common ambition to win the Dakar Rally.
“I have had four tries at Dakar [in the main T1+ category] so far and now I can say that I have some experience to be able to aim for the top.
“There is also a lot of knowledge and experience in the team to back up the ambition – starting with the long motorsport heritage of Ford, proven track record of M-Sport, very impressive driver line-up, smart engineers, technicians, and the rest of the team.
“I look forward to the first competitive outing with the Ford Raptor T1+ at Rallye du Maroc and later at the Dakar Rally. I am in it to win it and I hope we will have very successful and great years ahead of us.
“I will do everything in my power to make it happen.”
The news comes after Mattias Ekström officially split with the manufacturer last week, ending a 23-year partnership that included two DTM titles and the 2016 FIA World Rallycross Championship.
The Swede became the sporting director for World RX in 2023 and also currently races in Extreme E.
“We have followed Mattias’ career for a long time, from his DTM days to the FIA World Rallycross and now the Dakar Rally,” said M-Sport’s Matthew Wilson.
“He has shown fantastic speed and ability in all forms of motorsport and his performances in off-road racing have been no different. We are really looking forward to working with him and his co-driver Emil, who both will bring with them a vast array of experience.”
The Dakar Rally, known for its grueling terrain and demanding conditions, is a prestigious event that tests the limits of both man and machine.
With the 2025 Dakar Rally edition set to take place from January 3 to January 17, starting in Bisha and concluding in Shubaytah, Ekström will be piloting the newly developed Ford Raptor T1+, a vehicle specifically engineered for the challenges of this iconic race.
The Ford Raptor T1+ represents a significant advancement in rally vehicle technology. Developed in collaboration with M-Sport, a renowned British motorsport engineering firm, the car features a robust tubular chassis and composite bodywork designed to withstand the harshest conditions encountered during the Dakar Rally.
Under the hood, it boasts a modified version of Ford’s Coyote 5.0-liter V-8 engine, which has been optimized for performance in rally settings. While specific performance metrics have yet to be disclosed, modifications such as dry-sump lubrication systems and custom exhaust setups are expected to enhance its capabilities on the challenging course.
Joining Ekström in Ford’s Dakar team are other notable drivers, including Mitch Guthrie Jr., Nani Roma, and Carlos Sainz Sr. who joined earlier this year as the trio brings their extensive experience and competitive spirit to the lineup.
The inclusion of such seasoned drivers underscores Ford’s commitment to assembling a formidable team capable of contending for top honors in one of motorsport’s most demanding events.
