M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Principal Richard Millener has hit back at those critics questioning his decision to sign Josh McErlean for a full World Rally Championship campaign.
McErlean was announced as the second factory driver for the Cockermouth-based squad in the 2025 competition and has been confirmed for all 14 rounds alongside Eoin Treacy, starting at Rallye Monte-Carlo in January.
The 25-year-old beat other hopefuls, including Mārtiņš Sesks, to the second Puma Rally1 seat with Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy backing to partner Luxembourgian Gregoire Munster, who is leading the Blue Oval’s charge against Hyundai Motorsport and Toyota Gazoo Racing next season.
McErlean has cut his teeth in the main WRC2 support series in recent years, initially under the Hyundai Motorsport banner before switching over to Skoda Motorsport and its Fabia for 2024 – a move that banked a career-best second-placed result at May’s Vodafone Rally de Portugal.
Some followers of the WRC have raised doubts over McErlean’s suitability, with his age a particular talking point on various social media platforms. However, Millener believes he has secured the right man and can mould him into an all-rounder, starting at January’s Rallye Monte-Carlo.
“It is going to be a huge challenge for Josh – we all know that – but if an opportunity like this arises, it would have been crazy for him not to have seized it for the simple reason it may never happen again,” said Millener, who has worked with young drivers and decorated figures such as Sebastien Loeb and Sebastien Ogier that have 17 Drivers’ crowns between them.
“I am confident we can help Josh progress over the course of the year, there’s no expectations or pressure on him. The World Rally Championship keeps screaming out for opportunities for young talent and then when it is fulfilled, people like to moan about it – you cannot win – but M-Sport Ford is all about giving people opportunities and we are delighted to work with Josh.”
McErlean, who is set to make an appearance on Friday’s Turkey Run Rally at Shackleton outside Limavady, says getting to compete in the sport’s top division is the stuff of dreams.
“It is a dream come true and we will be making the most of this opportunity while doing all we can to repay the faith those around us have put in us,” said the former Junior British Rally Champion and Billy Coleman Award winner.
“It is a new era, a new challenge and a new beginning.”