Kilrea’s Josh McErlean is “ready to give it everything” after he landed a drive to graduate to the FIA World Rally Championship’s top tier with the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team.
McErlean and new-for-2025 co-driver Eoin Treacy will tackle a full 14-round campaign in a second Puma Rally1, beginning at next month’s famous Rallye Monte-Carlo opener.
Performances in the Championship’s WRC2 support series over the past three seasons with backing from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy have paved the way for the deal.
“Joining M-Sport Ford next year to drive the Puma Rally1 in the World Rally Championship is truly a dream come true,” said the 25-year-old, who completes the British squad’s full-time line-up after Gregoire Munster was retained for another season in the second Puma Rally1.
“I have always aspired to compete at the highest level of motorsport and that opportunity is now becoming a reality. I am incredibly excited to be working with such a professional and dedicated team, and Eoin and I are ready to give it everything,” continued McErlean.
“This is a massive step in my career, so I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved – the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and its founder John Coyne, supporters, family, and the team – for making this all possible. I cannot wait to get behind the wheel.”
McErlean has quickly risen through the sport’s ranks, with his eye-catching displays in the Junior 1000 Rally Challenge UK and Ireland as a teenager – followed by glory in the Junior British Rally Championship – bringing him to the attention of those at Motorsport Ireland.
He eventually secured a nomination for the 100,000 Euro Billy Coleman award which he won in 2019, with the funding boost acting as the springboard he needed to move forward.
M-Sport Ford Team Principal Richard Millener admits he is excited to work with McErlean but insists people should not expect too much too soon in what is set to be a learning year.
“2025 is going to be a huge challenge for Josh and Eoin, but this is 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,” said Richard Millener.
“M-Sport is renowned for giving opportunities to up-and-coming talents in the sport of rallying, and with the backing of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, that is exactly what we will be doing for Josh and Eoin next year,” he added.
McErlean becomes the first driver from Northern Ireland since Kris Meeke to compete in the World Rally Championship as a factory-backed points scorer.