WRC
Armstrong steps up to Rally1 as M-Sport confirms 2026 line-up
Jon Armstrong will make his FIA World Rally Championship Rally1 debut with M-Sport Ford in 2026, joining the team’s Ford Puma Rally1 line-up alongside returning driver Josh McErlean.
Armstrong and co-driver Shane Byrne step up to rallying’s top category following a breakthrough FIA European Rally Championship campaign, while McErlean and Eoin Treacy are retained for a second full season after gaining experience in Rally1 machinery during 2025. Both Irish crews are set to begin their campaigns at the season-opening Rallye Monte-Carlo in January.
A two-time FIA Junior WRC runner-up, Armstrong arrives in Rally1 after finishing second in the 2025 ERC, securing multiple podiums and his maiden overall victory during the season. His promotion marks the next step in a career built almost entirely in Ford machinery.
McErlean’s return follows a steady debut Rally1 campaign in which he recorded a best result of seventh overall on three occasions, including on the icy opening round in Monte-Carlo and later at Rally Finland and Central European Rally.
M-Sport Ford team principal Richard Millener said Armstrong’s late-season ERC form made the decision clear.
“Jon’s been working towards this opportunity for a long time,” Millener said. “His strong ERC performances at the end of last season made it impossible to ignore him. “I’d like to thank the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy for their support throughout the 2025 season, and I look forward to developing our partnership further as we head into 2026.”
McErlean (right) and co-driver Eoin Treacy return for another full season
© M-Sport
Armstrong said the chance to compete in rallying’s top tier fulfilled a long-term ambition.
“I’m obviously very grateful for the opportunity to drive a Rally1 car," he said. "It’s something I’ve worked towards from a very young age, so to actually be able to compete in the top tier of rallying is definitely a dream come true. Of course, there have been years where things didn’t go our way and we weren’t sure if it would ever happen, but we’ve had a very strong season in ERC, showed our potential, and naturally you then want to see what you can do in the World Rally Championship."
McErlean said he was eager to build on the progress made during his first year in Rally1.
“We made real progress throughout 2025, and I’m excited to build on everything we learned,” he said. “I’m in a completely different place mentally compared to this time last year – stronger, clearer, and ready to enjoy the challenge ahead.”
M-Sport Ford added that announcements regarding its remaining 2026 line-up will be made in due course.
