Motorsport Ireland Academy duo Josh McErlean and Jon Armstrong will drive for M-Sport in the World Rally Championship in 2026.
McErlean, 26, will get behind a wheel for a Ford Puma Rally1 and will be co-driven by Eoin Treacy after his debut campaign last year.
Two-time Junior WRC runner-up Armstrong will join McErlean in an all-Northern Ireland line-up for M-Sport as he makes his debut in the top tier of rallying.
The 31-year-old challenged for the European Rally Championship title last year and will be joined by co-driver Shane Byrne.
The 2026 World Rally Championship gets under way at the iconic Rally Monte Carlo from 22-25 January, with 13 more rounds on the calendar before the final round in Saudi Arabia in November.
McErlean said securing a second season with M-Sport “means everything” after a solid rookie campaign.
After a late deal to drive in the WRC, McErlean finished seventh on his debut in Monte Carlo and equalled that result in Finland and the Central European Rally.
The deals for McErlean and Armstrong strengthen the links between M-Sport and Motorsport Ireland, and the remainder of the Cumbrian’s outfit’s line-up will be announced in due course.
