FIA welcome NEW team in 2025 motorsport with……read more
FIA welcome NEW team in 2025 motorsport with……read more
The FIA has announced an exciting new addition to the 2025 motorsport calendar with the inclusion of Ford M-Sport Team in the World Rally Raid Championship (W2RC). This marks a significant development in the world of competitive motorsport, as the Ford M-Sport Team enters the series with their specially developed Ranger and Raptor vehicles, built to compete in one of the most challenging racing environments in the world.
The FIA, responsible for overseeing major racing series such as Formula 1, the World Rally Championship (WRC), and the World Endurance Championship (WEC), now expands its regulation to include this highly anticipated move. The W2RC season begins with the prestigious Dakar Rally, the first event on the calendar. Other key events on the schedule include the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, the South African Safari Rally, as well as races in Portugal and Morocco.
Carlos Sainz Sr., a legendary figure in rally racing and the father of Formula 1 driver Carlos Sainz, is the reigning Dakar Rally champion. Having secured victory four times—2010, 2018, 2020, and most recently in 2024—Sainz Sr. has firmly established himself as a dominant force in rally competition. His successful career at the Dakar Rally is part of what makes his partnership with the new Ford M-Sport Team particularly exciting.
The 2025 Dakar Rally will take place from January 3 to January 17 and is the only marathon event scheduled for this year’s W2RC calendar. As the series officially kicks off, the FIA made a statement on social media welcoming Ford M-Sport Team to the Dakar, signaling the team’s long-awaited entry into the championship. Ford had been preparing their entry for the past couple of years, with Sainz Sr. joining the team to further bolster their bid for success.
The Ford M-Sport Team’s participation in the 2025 season will see them field a strong lineup of competitors. Along with Carlos Sainz Sr. and his long-time co-driver Lucas Cruz, the team will feature Mattias Ekström and Emil Bergkvist, along with Mitch Guthrie and Dennis Zenz. These drivers will compete for both the Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ Championships, with three cars in the mix for Manufacturers’ points. Notably, Mitch Guthrie is stepping up from the Challenger class, bringing additional excitement to the competition.
In addition to these experienced drivers, the team will also feature Joan ‘Nani’ Roma, a two-time Dakar winner, who has proven himself on both two wheels and in a car. Roma will team up with Alex Haro in the fourth Raptor. Roma has been instrumental in the development of the Raptor and has been testing and preparing the vehicle for months. Last year, he impressed by topping the times at the Hungarian Baja, a testament to his continued expertise in the rally world.
The entry of Ford M-Sport into the World Rally Raid Championship adds a new level of competition and intrigue to the already highly intense series, and fans are eager to see how the team performs against the established powerhouses in the Dakar and beyond.
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