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.”