2026 will be Romain Dumas’ ninth Dakar Rally. After racing Peugeots and Toyotas, it makes sense the Ford factory driver will now take part in the Ford Raptor T1+ co-developed by Ford Racing and M-Sport.

“Dakar is a challenge, personally,” Dumas stated. “Each year, I’m coming back because I want to improve. I’m getting faster and faster. The target is always to learn more.”

Although mainly known for his sports car endeavors as a two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and FIA World Endurance Champion, Dumas has been dabbling at Dakar for a decade. His best finish was an eighth in 2017 with Peugeot, while his last try was in 2024 in a Toyota Hilux for Rebellion Racing (his old WEC team) where he finished 14th overall.

Even while racing Hiluxes at Dakar, he’s been part of Ford since 2022 for races like the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The five-time PPIHC finished second overall in this year’s edition with the Ford Super Mustang Mach-E.

Later in November, Dumas will make his Baja 1000 debut in the Ford Ranger Raptor alongside Bailey Cole.

“One is a frame chassis, the other is a pure prototype,” Dumas commented on the differences between the Ranger Raptor and the Raptor T1+. “You cannot give the same intensity to both cars.”

Ford M-Sport will field the Raptor at Dakar for Mattias Ekström, Mitch Guthrie, Nani Roma, and Carlos Sainz. Privateers Jourdan Serderidis and Martin Prokop will also pilot one.

Featured image credit: Julien Delfosse / DPPI / ASO