While the Dakar Rally is taking place in Saudi Arabia, a Formula 1 driver gets a taste of the action behind the wheel of the Ford Raptor T1+. Red Bull has released a brand-new video showcasing this unique challenge, created in collaboration with Ford.
In this previously unseen video from Red Bull, an F1 driver is brought into the world of the Dakar Rally as Isack Hadjar takes on the Ford Raptor T1+. The American-built off-road machine, which has already won several stages in the 2026 edition of the world’s most famous rally raid, is powered by a 5.0-litre Coyote V8 and has been designed to withstand the two gruelling weeks of racing through the Saudi desert. The question is whether the new Milton Keynes driver can unleash the full potential of the Raptor.
Red Bull has long accustomed fans to spectacular promotional videos, featuring seemingly impossible challenges with some of the world’s top athletes across a wide range of extreme disciplines. This time, the spotlight is on Isack Hadjar, who will race for the Milton Keynes-based team in Formula 1 in 2026.
His promotion comes as a fully deserved reward after a standout season with Racing Bulls in Faenza, where he was one of the main protagonists of the year. His campaign was capped off in the Netherlands with the first podium finish of his professional career, further underlining his rapid rise within the Red Bull junior system.
The French driver is placed at the wheel of the Ford Raptor T1+, the off-road vehicle built by British outfit M-Sport for the top category of cars competing in the Dakar Rally. It is far from an easy challenge, especially for a driver with no prior off-road experience, and Hadjar is accompanied by the highly experienced Mitch Guthrie.
Just a few days ago, Guthrie claimed his second stage victory of the rally at Ha’il, repeating his earlier success and confirming his status as one of the reference drivers in the Saudi Arabian rally raid.
Hadjar vs Guthrie: how it played out
The challenge itself is simple on paper. Isack Hadjar must complete a full lap of a dirt track, complete with jumps and rough sections, while staying within fifteen seconds of the time set by Mitch Guthrie.
The Frenchman is given five practice laps to familiarise himself with his first-ever off-road car. The guidance provided by his American counterpart proves invaluable, even though a small “incident” occurs during the second practice lap.
All that remains is to sit back and enjoy the video produced by Red Bull to discover the final outcome of this unusual and entertaining challenge.
Seeing an F1 driver step out of their comfort zone and into the rugged world of rally raid highlights the incredible versatility required at the top level of motorsport. As Isack Hadjar prepares for his big debut with the main Red Bull team in 2026, this desert adventure serves as a thrilling reminder of the raw talent he brings to the grid. Whether on the asphalt of a Grand Prix circuit or the shifting sands of Saudi Arabia, the Frenchman continues to prove why he is one of the most exciting prospects in the sport today. We can only wait and see if these off-road skills translate into the aggressive car control needed for the new F1 era.
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