Ekström Tops 2026 Dakar Rally Prologue as Ford Shows Early Speed

Mattias Ekström has kicked off the 2026 Dakar Rally by winning the prologue, giving Ford an ideal start in Saudi Arabia. The Swedish driver’s performance secured a one-two finish for the American manufacturer, with teammate Mitch Guthrie just seconds behind. While the prologue time doesn't count towards the overall classification, the victory allows Ekström to select a favorable starting position for the first full stage, a key strategic advantage in the grueling two-week event.

Why it matters:

• Strategic Edge: Winning the prologue grants Ekström first pick of his starting position for Stage 1, allowing him to avoid the "dust cloud" and navigate cleaner terrain, a critical factor in desert rally racing.
• Manufacturer Momentum: A dominant 1-2 finish is a powerful statement from Ford, immediately establishing the Raptor as a serious contender and putting pressure on rivals like Audi, Toyota, and Mini.
• Early Confidence: For a team and driver, starting a marathon event like the Dakar with a strong result builds crucial confidence for the immense challenges ahead.

The details:

• Ekström's time was just enough to beat his Ford teammate Mitch Guthrie, highlighting the impressive pace of the Raptor package from the very first kilometers.
• Guillaume de Mévius secured third place, keeping the X-Raid Mini team in the mix at the sharp end of the field.
• Tight Top Ten: The entire top ten was separated by a mere 20 seconds, underscoring the intense competition. This group included legends like Carlos Sainz and Nasser Al-Attiyah, who are already within striking distance.
• Nine-time WRC champion Sébastien Loeb was 34 seconds off the pace, but with the rally spanning two weeks, this small deficit is largely insignificant at this point.

What's next:

The prologue is complete, and the true test begins with Stage 1. Ekström will leverage his pole position advantage, but the thousands of kilometers of grueling desert navigation ahead will be the ultimate decider. Endurance, reliability, and flawless navigation will soon outweigh prologue speed as the battle for Dakar glory truly ignites across the Saudi Arabian desert.