Romain Dumas is gearing up for his ninth attempt at the Dakar Rally, this time driving a specialised Ford Raptor T1+. His return highlights a renewed commitment to mastering one of motorsport’s most demanding events, where endurance, precision and resilience often matter more than outright speed. Dumas enters the rally with clear focus: completing the stages cleanly, avoiding costly mistakes and managing the intense conditions that define this world-famous desert challenge.
The Ford Raptor T1+ he will drive is a purpose-built rally-raid machine engineered specifically for extreme environments. It features a reinforced chassis, long-travel suspension and a powertrain designed to maintain performance over countless kilometres of sand, rock and harsh terrain. Unlike production off-road vehicles, the T1+ category allows for prototype-level construction, giving drivers the durability and adaptability required to tackle the Dakar’s unpredictable obstacles.
Dumas has described the Raptor T1+ as a vehicle that demands total focus. The rough terrain, constant jumps and deep dunes require a balance of aggression and control, while coordination with a co-driver remains essential for navigation. The pairing between machine and crew often determines success more than raw pace, and Dumas enters with the experience of many cross-discipline motorsport victories behind him.
Renowned for triumphs in endurance racing and hill-climb events, including iconic competitions requiring precision under pressure, Dumas brings a versatile skill set suited to Dakar’s unique demands. His return also reflects Ford’s strengthened ambition in rally-raid racing, marking a deeper push into global off-road motorsport.
As preparations continue for the upcoming running of the event, all eyes will be on the partnership between Dumas and the Ford Raptor T1+. With the desert’s shifting conditions, long stages and unforgiving terrain ahead, the challenge remains immense. Yet the combination of engineering expertise and a seasoned driver sets the stage for a competitive and determined Dakar campaign.
