After completing two seasons in the top flight of the World Rally Championship with M-Sport Ford, Josh McErlean is currently weighing up his best possible options for his international rallying career heading into the 2027 season. The 27-year-old driver, backed by the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, secured a season-best finish of sixth overall at both the Acropolis Rally Greece and Rally del Paraguay this year.
His pace on the demanding Greek gravel stages was originally strong enough for fourth place, before a post-event time penalty ultimately dropped him two positions down the final classification. Despite the setback, his raw speed has continually highlighted his progression among the championship's elite competitors.
Recently, Josh McErlean drove M-Sport Ford's development machine—the Ford Fiesta Rally2 fitted with a WRC Kit—acting as the official course car at the European Rally Championship season finale, the Rally Six Cities North of Portugal. However, that appearance does not automatically guarantee that he and co-driver Eoin Treacy will spearhead the squad's lineup once again next year.
Speaking to DirtFish in Sardinia, Josh McErlean confessed he had no definitive idea what his WRC future held, though his primary desire remains firmly fixed on competing at the premier level. "Obviously, we’re discussing, but I think with the shape of the sport going into next year, it’s still down to the Academy at this point. The motivation’s there, so let’s try and make it happen," he stated.
Asked whether he would consider stepping back down to Rally2 machinery or strictly target WRC27 and WRC Kit Rally1 equipment, the Irish driver kept his options open. "Let’s see. I think next year’s Rally2 car might not be so bad, so we’ll eye up our opportunities and let’s see what’s best," he concluded, reflecting on his previous stints driving Hyundai and Skoda machinery prior to joining the M-Sport Ford camp.
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