Ford

Martin Prokop always comes to the Dakar with a small team and big ambitions. The Czech privateer has taken part every year since 2016, coming as high as sixth in the cars in 2019. Rapid and consistent, he has finished inside the top 15 in all but one edition: last year's, when major mechanical issues on Stage 10 dropped him down to 25th overall. The talented 40-year-old is always up there, and will be coming to his eighth Dakar with an upgraded version of his Ford Raptor RS Cross Country, affectionately known as 'Shrek'. He and co-driver Viktor Chytka were unable to keep pace with the big guns at Dakar 2022 -which they felt was lacking in difficulty- but they've improved their top speed for 2023. Martin is really looking forward to sinking his teeth into this 45th edition, with its promises of complex navigation and dunes galore. He already had an excellent outing this year at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, finishing second behind Stephane Peterhansel, before bringing the new-look Shrek home in fifth place at the Rallye du Maroc. He also took part in five rounds of the World Rally Championship -in which he has competed for well over a decade- although he was disappointed to suffer engine failure at the Safari Rally Kenya, where he already had a big crash in 2021. As ever, the Czech star is expecting fierce competition at the Dakar, but he's still dreaming of a best-ever finish in the top five.