Swedish driver will attempt to conquer the challenging desert terrain as Ford looks to consolidate its position in the Kingdom DUBAI: Ford Performance has announced rally and off-road driver Mattias Ekstrom will join its team for the 2025 Dakar Rally, to be held in Saudi Arabia from Jan. 3-17. For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport Ekstrom, a two-time DTM champion, World Rallycross champion, and experienced rally raid competitor, will join Mitch Guthrie Jr., Nani Roma, and Carlos Sainz Sr. in piloting the Ford Raptor T1+ in one of the world’s most demanding motorsport events. “Joining the Ford Dakar program is really exciting for me,” said Ekstrom. “Ford and [engineering partners] 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 so far and now I can say that I have some experience in being 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.” He added: “I look forward to the first competitive outing with the Ford Raptor T1+ at Rally 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." Ford Performance has previously shown its off-road capabilities in rally raid racing and global competition via entries and victories in the Baja 1000 and Tatts-Finke Desert Race, among others. The addition of Ekstrom completes a strong driver lineup for the challenge of Dakar. It is hoped Ekstrom’s diverse background, which spans rally, circuit racing and off-road competition, will be a real boost to the team. Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance, said: “Bringing Mattias Ekstrom into the Ford Performance family is a big step forward for our Dakar program. Mattias brings a wealth of experience in rally and off-road racing, and his skills add to a formidable team in the Ford Raptor T1+. The Dakar Rally is a test like no other, but we’re confident in our lineup.” Meanwhile Matthew Wilson, M-Sport test and development driver, said: “We have followed Mattias’ career for a long time, from his DTM days to the FIA World Rallycross, and now the Dakar Rally. “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.”