Done Deal: Irishman Josh McErlean joins M-Sport Ford in WRC

After spending recent seasons in WRC2, McErlean and co-driver Eoin Treacy will campaign a Ford Puma Rally1 across all 14 rounds of the WRC next season in a deal supported by M-Sport and the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy. The duo will line up alongside Grégoire Munster and Louis Louka, who were confirmed earlier this week for their second full season in Rally1 machinery with the British squad

McErlean’s rallying journey began at just 14 years old in the Junior 1000 Rally Challenge. By 2019, he had claimed the Junior British Rally Championship title and was awarded Motorsport Ireland’s prestigious Billy Coleman Award. That same year, he made his WRC debut at Wales Rally GB.

The 2024 season has been a standout campaign for the 25-year-old. Driving a Toksport-prepared Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, he achieved a career-best result with second place in WRC2 at Vodafone Rally de Portugal.

“Joining M-Sport Ford next year to drive the Puma Rally1 in the World Rally Championship is truly a dream come true,” he enthused. “I’ve always aspired to compete at the highest level of motorsport, and now that opportunity is becoming a reality. I’m incredibly excited to be working with such a professional and dedicated team, and Eoin and I are ready to give it everything.”

John Coyne, founder and patron of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, has been instrumental in McErlean’s rise, alongside other Irish talents such as William Creighton and Eamonn Kelly.

“The Academy’s purpose is to identify and develop young Irish athletes to compete successfully at the highest levels of the World Rally Championship,” explained Coyne.

“As key members of our Academy development programme, Josh and Eoin have made tremendous progress in applying their natural talents and developing their skills. I’m looking forward to continuing to guide and support their progress over the coming years at the top level of the sport.”

M-Sport Ford team principal Richard Millener also expressed his enthusiasm for McErlean’s promotion, saying: “M-Sport is renowned for giving opportunities to up and coming talents in the sport. With the backing of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, that is exactly what we will be doing for Josh and Eoin. 2025 will be a huge challenge for them both, but a once in a lifetime chance to show the world that they have what it takes to forge a career at the pinnacle of the sport.

“We need to continue to invest in new and emerging talent in the WRC, I am proud to be able to give another two competitors the chance to do this. The targets and expectations for the year will be very sensible, but I know that the team and all the Irish fans will be behind the pairing and this opportunity for them.”