McErlean to make 'dream' WRC debut with M-Sport

Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver Josh McErlean will make his debut in the top tier of the World Rally Championship in 2025 with M-Sport.

McErlean, 25, will drive a Ford Puma Rally 1 in a full WRC campaign, which begins at the iconic Rallye Monte Carlo from 23-26 January in the first of 14 rounds that span four continents.

He will become the first driver from Ireland to compete in rallying's top tier since the late Craig Breen in 2023, and the first driver from Northern Ireland since Kris Meeke in 2019.

McErlean, who is a podium finisher in WRC2 - the second tier of rallying's premier series - will be co-driven by fellow Motorsport Ireland Academy member Eoin Treacy.

McErlean says stepping up to Rally1 with a team like M-Sport, who have helped nurture the careers of drivers like Ott Tanak, Breen and Adrien Fourmaux, is a "dream come true".

"I've always aspired to compete at the highest level of motorsport, and now that opportunity is becoming a reality," McErlean said.

"I'm incredibly excited to be working with such a professional and dedicated team, and Eoin and I are ready to give it everything.

"This is a massive step in my career, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone involved for making this possible. I can't wait to get behind the wheel."

McErlean has spent a number of seasons in WRC2 and secured a podium finish in Portugal in May.

He started his rallying journey in 2015 by winning the Junior 1000 Rally Challenge title, and went on to claim the Junior British Rally Championship in 2019.

His first venture in the WRC came later that year at Rally Wales GB in a Hyundai R5 and he stepped full time into WRC2 in 2022, coupled with a number of positive appearances in the European Rally Championship.

McErlean has had a successful and solid rise up rallying's pyramid to date, but there is no doubt that stepping up to the top class will be a huge challenge for the Kilrea driver.

However, M-Sport is an ideal team to help a young driver thrive. They have played a key role in the development of drivers such as 2019 champion Tanak as well as Breen, Fourmaux and Wales' Elfyn Evans.

With that in mind, M-Sport team principal Richard Millener says there will be "sensible expectations" of the Motorsport Ireland crew.

"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," said Millener.

"We need to continue to invest in new and emerging talent in the WRC. I am proud to be able to give another two guys 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."

McErlean and Treacy will get their first taste of the Ford Puma Rally1 at M-Sport's base in Cumbria on Thursday to kick start their preparations for the opening round of the season in Monte Carlo.

They will be joined at M-Sport by Luxembourg driver Gregoire Munster and co-driver Louis Louka, who finished eighth in the WRC last season.