EIn just a few months, Ford has gone from not having a presence in competition in the main automobile shows to announcing its entry into Formula 1, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Dakar Rally. In this 2024 edition it has been presented in the background, with a Ranger which is not at the competitive level of the rest, but laying solid foundations that next year, with a new car and a more competitive team of drivers, will take a great leap in quality. MARCA had the opportunity to spend a little time with the person responsible for the Dakar project, Matt Wilsonson of the legendary Malcolm, who presents us with the general lines of the path of the American giant… that could pass through the hands of Carlos Sainz at short notice.
ASK. Ford debuts at the Dakar in 2024. How many years is the project?
ANSWER. The first phase is this year, with the current vehicle. The idea for this year is to come, finish and learn, even logistically and operationally for the team. How everything works, the tricks and, in general, the entire event. The plan is to come with a new vehicle next year. And, from then on, that is a three-year plan. Our goal is to be here for at least three years with the new vehicle.
Matt Wilson.
Q. Why the Dakar?
R: At Ford there are several vehicles that are sold all over the world. One is the Mustang and others are pick-ups. The idea is to be able to have a sports program as support with a global marketing vehicle. The Mustang is going back to the GT3, for example. The commercial side is very important for Ford and an event like the Dakar, which is immense, can perfectly show the degree of resistance of a car like the Ranger.
Q. How many team members have rally-raid experience?
R. Not many. We are a totally new team. Obviously, we have enormous experience in all the other disciplines, mainly in rallies, but also in circuits. But it is true that there are a very small number of people who have had previous experiences in Dakar. Yes, we are a new team in that sense.
Q. How is the integration between M Sport and Ford Performance? Is the factory involved enough?
R. Our relationship with Ford Performance, especially now, is very close. We have a very good connection with America. They understand motorsports like we do. We do the WRC, the Dakar, we also make the engine for the Mustang GT3… and the chassis has been made in America. The relationship with M-Sport is fantastic, we are involved in many different things. And, obviously, the facilities they have in America, from a technical point of view, are fantastic and we have access to them. Technically, it is a very good project.
Q. Do you expect to have the new Raptor on the road early next year, mid-summer? What is the timing?
R. That’s our plan. We need to be ready for Dakar 2025. You know how it is, you need to cover a lot of test kilometers. You have to work quickly because there are many things to adjust. It is key to learn what can go wrong and how to fix what is not working. That’s our plan and that’s why we’re running right now. Normally, with a new car, the plans are quite similar across manufacturers. The logical thing would be to do a lot of testing and be racing, perhaps in Morocco. This year we have discovered that there are not many better places than Morocco to try, especially if the team is European based and you can even get there by road. It is logical that we are going to go there a lot, where it is very easy to replicate the conditions of the Dakar… and there are not many other places. That’s why all the teams go so hard.
Wilson poses with Nani Roma (in the center of the image).
P. What will you hope for from Nani Roma? Why?
R. I think the answer is very simple. He is an incredible guy, a driver who has accumulated a lot of experience in the Dakar. On motorcycles, cars… on everything. He is a Dakar legend. For us the important thing this year was to try to improve the current car. And I think Nani’s experience was crucial to that. He really knows how to get the car to the end of the Dakar. For our year of learning there was no one better than Nani. But, also, when we start racing the new car, I don’t think there will be many better drivers as testers. It was great to give him a chance and, yes, I have to admit, seeing him so happy in Morocco, it was great. He is a special professional, we are really enjoying working with him.
For our year of learning there was no one better than Nani Roma
Q. You said that your call was really important in your recovery…
R. Yes, and I think he really appreciates that we trusted him. When he told us that he was ready to run again, we were confident too. He has worked incredibly hard with his health. You see him now and he seems very strong again.
Q. One last question about the overall project plan. Do you plan to race three cars in the Dakar 2025?
R. I’m not 100 percent sure, but it’s something we’d like to do. To make a serious assault on the Dakar, you must have three cars. It’s not safe, but it’s what we want to achieve.
Q. Audi is canceling the program after this year. In 2025 there will probably be a fight between Dacia and Ford, which are two new brands (or almost new in the case of Dacia). Is it too optimistic to think that they can fight for victory already in 2025?
R. It’s what we’re here for. It’s what we want to do. We want to win the Dakar with Ford. We know it will be hard and a great challenge, but seeing how we are working, I think we will have a chance. But… in the Dakar there are so many variables that you never know. But yes, we are going to try.
Sainz doesn’t look as old as he is; it’s always improving
Q. We know that there have been conversations with Sainz to complete the driver lineup. Are you interested?
R. We’re looking at a lot of drivers, to be honest. As you can imagine, there is a lot of interest in the project. The Audi project is coming to an end, but there are also many young people who are looking to take a step forward. It would be absurd not to talk to everyone to find the best possible option. And yes, Carlos is an incredible pilot. We have worked with him in the past and know his dedication. He doesn’t look like he’s as old as he is. He is always improving and getting stronger. We haven’t finalized anything, but we are talking to everyone who is interested in the project.
Q. It will be a nice story: your debut in the WRC, two different stages in the WRC, your junior team… always with Ford. His last Dakar with Ford would close that circle…
A. That’s the thing, I don’t think you can add anything more about Carlos. You just have to see how he is this year. How strong he is physically and mentally. We have fantastic memories of working with Carlos. If you ask Malcolm he will always tell you that he is one of the most committed pilots he has worked with. It’s a good story, yes…
