There are surnames that are intrinsically linked to fuel, mud, and overcoming adversity. In Spain, mentioning the Roma family is to speak of dunes, Dakar Rally victories, and an unconditional love of four wheels. But above all, it is about an attitude towards life. An attitude that Marc Roma, at 18 years old, embodies better than anyone.
Following a serious accident at the 2024 European Motocross Championship in Lugo, Marc's life took a major turn. However, what never changed was his outlook, his smile, and the passion for motorsport he carries in his genes.
Today, thanks to the Ford Adapta program, Marc is once again experiencing the thrill of getting behind the wheel independently. And he is doing so with a very special companion: his new adapted Ford Puma ST. 1
The feeling of getting your first car is unforgettable. It is the new-car smell, the promise of the road ahead, and, above all, that electrifying sensation that, from that moment on, the world has become much bigger and much more accessible.
The Romacar dealership in Barcelona was the stage for a very special handover. Accompanied by his parents — legendary driver and winner of the Dakar Rally on both two and four wheels, Nani Roma, and fellow Dakar racer, Rosa Romero — Marc received the keys to a vehicle that stands out not only for its sportiness, but also for being a game-changing tool for his day-to-day life.
Onwards and upwards
For Marc, needing a car is not a whim. Living in a rural environment and facing a new stage in life made this moment an essential step for his independence:
"I live in a country house that is 5 kilometres from the nearest town. Everything I want to do — going out with friends, buying anything — requires getting around by car, and this will allow me to do that. Plus, I start university this year, so I'll have to drive every day. What better way than having this fantastic Puma," Marc explains with a smile.
Learning to drive using only your hands might seem like a monumental challenge, but for Marc, who has petrol in his blood, the process has been surprisingly natural. In fact, there is an amazing detail to his story: having never used his feet for driving, his brain didn’t have to unlearn old habits, adapting directly to his hands intuitively.
"Honestly, I thought it was going to be harder, especially driving with my hands, which I had never done before. But I found an incredibly nice instructor who helped me a lot. Now I find it easy; it has already become automatic. Today we took it outside of Barcelona and it felt incredibly comfortable. Having this autonomy is super important," Marc says.
Barrier-free technology: From the ring to the BlueCruise system
Marc’s adapted Ford Puma ST 1 is equipped with a state-of-the-art system that connects an accelerator ring over the steering wheel (which Marc prefers to use from the top to make manoeuvring easier) directly to the car's ECU. For braking, it features a mechanical lever linked directly to the foot pedal.
In addition to its sportier side, this Puma ST has the honour of being the first adapted vehicle in Spain to feature the Ford BlueCruise 2 hands-free driving assist system. It is a technology that Marc has already been able to experience first-hand during his first highway drive:
"I turned on BlueCruise and I was completely blown away. There’s a camera that focuses on you, and if you look away, it warns you to keep your concentration; but I was just there, hands-free, the car driving itself... it was amazing," Marc says.
A father's pride
For Nani Roma, accustomed to the most extreme challenges on the planet at the wheel of his Ford Raptor T1+, the day's true victory is not measured by a stopwatch, but by the look of happiness on his son's face behind the wheel.
"As parents, the most important thing is to see that your children are happy. I am incredibly grateful to Ford for these projects because they help more than they realise. It’s not just a matter of getting around; it’s about feeling independent, feeling like you can do anything. When you get your licence for the first time, you say, ‘Wow, the world is opening up to me,’ and that’s exactly what Marc is feeling today," Nani explains emotionally.
Nani, who accompanied his son from the passenger seat, giving him pointers during his first kilometres, highlights how intuitive and reassuring BlueCruise is. Because of this, the Roma family wanted to extend a wonderful open-door invitation to anyone in a similar situation.
"I highly encourage people to try it; they shouldn't be afraid of anything because it is super easy and simple. If anyone genuinely wants to try it one day, just let us know. We can do a few laps to help them see the massive level of autonomy and freedom it gives you."
With university just around the corner, a full tank, and a road ahead free of barriers, Marc Roma is already driving completely independently. Because true freedom begins when you are the one deciding the route.
Explore assets
1 Puma ST Powershift CO2 emissions 135-146 g/km and fuel efficiency 6.0‑6.5 l/100 km WLTP. CO2 emission and fuel efficiency ranges may vary according to vehicle variants offered by individual markets. The declared WLTP fuel/energy consumptions, CO2-emissions and electric range are determined according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EU) 2017/1151 as last amended. The applied standard test procedures enable comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers.
2 Available in selected countries on selected Puma, Puma Gen-E, Kuga, Ranger PHEV and Mustang Mach-E models. Driver’s eyes must remain on the road ahead to enable use of BlueCruise hands-free driving. It does not replace safe driving.
