Almost a thousand miles of routes wait for two weeks.
The only Swedish crew is a world champion duo.
Ekström, world champion in rallycross 2016, together with the map reader Emil Bergkvist, junior world champion in rally 2018.
They compete in the Lightweight vehicle class, in a Yamaha prototype.
The 42-year-old is one of the world's best multi-talents in motorsport.
In addition to the World Cup gold in rallycross, Ekström has double DTM titles, is a three-time winner in the Race of Champions and has had success in rally.
But desert rally is a new challenge for Mattias.
In mid-December, the Swedish duo won class victory in the genre rope Baja Hail Rally in Saudi Arabia.
A two-day rally with distances of 15-18 miles.
"Will humble"
Now significantly longer distances await every day.
- We come to Dakar humble in the face of the challenge both in terms of driving and navigation, but also the parts with the climate, food, drink and sleep, Mattias says in a press release.
The start of the Dakar Rally is a boost before the premiere of the new racing series Extreme E.
Ekström is one of three Swedish drivers.
Johan Kristoffersson and Timmy Hansen are also in the starting field.
The initial competition will be decided in Saudi Arabia on March 20-21.