M-Sport Ford confirmed on Thursday that McErlean has been signed as the team’s second driver. This announcement follows Wednesday’s news that Luxembourg’s Gregoire Munster has renewed his contract with the team.
Read more: WRC team M-Sport Ford announces new lead driver – hints at another signing
McErlean’s signing is a surprising move by M-Sport, although rumours had circulated in recent days. The Irishman will compete in a full WRC season next year, driving the Ford Puma Rally1 car.
The 25-year-old has previously raced in WRC2 and the European Rally Championship (ERC). This past season, he achieved his best result with a second-place finish in the WRC2 category at the Rally de Portugal.
McErlean secured this opportunity at M-Sport with support from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy. His co-driver will be Eoin Treacy, who navigated for Jon Armstrong in the ERC this year. McErlean and Treacy have previously competed together in three rallies.
Now, the duo has an incredible opportunity ahead.
“Joining M-Sport Ford next year to drive the Puma Rally1 in the World Rally Championship is truly 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 with excitement.
“I’m incredibly excited to be working with such a professional and dedicated team, and Eoin and I are ready to give it everything.”
McErlean won the Great Britain Junior title in 2019. Since then, he has competed on international stages, although he has yet to achieve major success.
Previously, Latvian driver Martiņs Sesks was heavily linked to a seat at M-Sport Ford, but he will not have a full WRC programme in the top tier.
However, M-Sport will likely provide a car for Sesks if he can secure funding – as both Munster and McErlean have done.
