Josh McErlean will graduate to the World Rally Championship’s top tier in 2025 after securing a deal to join M-Sport-Ford.
The 25-year-old will pilot M-Sport’s second Ford Puma Rally1 in a full 14-round WRC campaign next year, joining Gregoire Munster, who was announced as the British squad’s team leader on Wednesday.
McErlean will be joined by fellow Irish co-driver Eoin Treacy next season and will continue to be supported by the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy.
McErlean’s rise to Rally1 comes after making the step up to WRC2 in 2022. This year the Irishman claimed a maiden podium finish in the category with a run to second in Portugal en route to finishing ninth in the championship standings.
M-Sport team principal Richard Millener says McErlean’s targets and expectations will be sensible in 2025, but is proud to see the team offer another opportunity to a rising star.
McErlean will make his full Rally1 debut at the 2025 season opener in Monte Carlo from 23-26 January.
