The testing is complete, the pace notes have been written, and Kilrea’s Josh McErlean is only hours away from realising his dream as the 93rd Rallye Monte Carlo heralds the beginning of his FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) campaign with M-Sport Ford.
Ahead of the traditional season-opener in Gap in south-eastern France, Dan James sat down with the 25-year-old Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy-backed driver to reflect on a whirlwind few weeks and find out what a successful 2025 campaign looks like for him.
Q: News of your deal for 2025 is now a month or so old – but do you still have to pinch yourself?
A: It is definitely a special feeling but, at the same time, I have been fully focused on preparing for the season ahead. Signing the deal was a huge milestone, but now it is all about delivering on that opportunity and working hard to justify the faith the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and M-Sport Ford have shown in me.
Q: When did the possibility of a deal to represent M-Sport Ford first emerge – and did it take long to finalise?
A: The initial discussions started a little while before the announcement, but these things are never straightforward. It was a thorough process on both sides, and we took the time to make sure it was the right move. I am just grateful it all came together.
Q: M-Sport has a strong link to Irish drivers, co-drivers, mechanics, and engineers. Does this move feel like a natural fit?
A: It definitely feels like a good fit. The Irish connection with M-Sport is something I have always been aware of, and their understanding of the passion we have for rallying here makes it feel like a home away from home. But it is also a professional step up, so I know I need to focus on adapting and performing at this level.
Q: Some critics have voiced doubts about your move. What do you say to them – and does this serve as extra motivation?
A: Criticism is part of any competitive sport, and I respect everyone’s right to their opinion. For me, it is about staying focused on my own journey and proving myself through hard work and dedication. It has always been my own desire to succeed.
Q: Presumably, you have not had much time to rest over Christmas – have things been busy?
A: It has been a busy period, but that is to be expected. There has been a lot to prepare for – testing, training, and getting up to speed with the team. Christmas was quieter than usual, but I have still enjoyed time with family and friends.
Q: The downtime that you have had, how have you used this?
A: Any downtime I have had has been spent recharging because rallying demands a lot, especially this year, so I have made sure to rest. I have also been doing some prep work, studying stages, and spending time with the team building communication.
Q: You have briefly sampled the Puma Rally1 around M-Sport’s test track – what were your initial impressions of the car?
A: My first impressions were really positive. We know how capable the Puma Rally1 can be, we need to take it step-by-step and maximise our time behind the wheel getting use to the extra power and aerodynamics.
Q: For 2025, hybrid is being dropped from Rally1 – is this going to help you make the step up from Rally2 quicker and easier?
A: It is an interesting change, and while it simplifies some aspects of the car, the step up to Rally1 is still significant. The key challenges – like learning to manage the car’s speed and aerodynamics – are still there.
Q: James Fulton has left the co-driver’s seat and Eoin Treacy has stepped in. What can we expect from this partnership?
A: Eoin and I have worked hard to build a strong partnership. Every driver-co-driver relationship is unique, and while it will take time to fully gel at this level, I have every confidence in what we can achieve together. His motivation and commitment have always been there.
Q: How are you feeling on the eve of your top-flight World Rally campaign with Eoin?
A: There is a mix of excitement and determination. It is a big step up, but we will have prepared as thoroughly as possible. It is going to be a huge challenge but we want to learn as much as we can, stage by stage.
Q: Crossing the start ramp at one of the world’s most famous events as a factory-backed driver on Thursday is the stuff of dreams, is it not?
A: It is definitely a proud moment. Representing M-Sport Ford at an event like Rallye Monte-Carlo is something I have worked towards for years. That said, I am keeping my feet on the ground – it is about making sure we do a solid job for everyone involved.
Q: What is the goal for you heading into Rallye Monte-Carlo – and what is the gameplan for the rest of the campaign?
A: For Monte Carlo, the main goal is to gain experience and settle into the car and the team. It is a unique rally with so many variables, so we will approach it step-by-step. For the season as a whole, it is about consistency and progress – building confidence and pushing when the opportunities arise.
Q: Are there any rounds this season you feel you can really go on a push in the Puma Rally1?
A: It is hard to say at this stage. Each event has its challenges, and I will approach them with an open mind. I will focus on learning as much as possible early on, and as we progress, there might be events where we feel more comfortable to push based on our previous experiences.
Where Josh McErlean will visit in 2025 – and when.
ROUND RALLY DATE
01 Rallye Monte-Carlo 23 – 26 January
02 Rally Sweden 13 – 16 February
03 Safari Rally Kenya 20 – 23 March
04 Rally Islas Canarias 24 – 27 April
05 Vodafone Rally de Portugal 15 – 18 May
06 Rally Italia Sardegna 05 – 08 June
07 EKO Acropolis Rally Greece 26 – 29 June
08 Delfi Rally Estonia 17 – 20 July
09 Secto Rally Finland 31 July – 03 August
10 Rally del Paraguay 28 – 31 August
11 Rally Chile Bio Bío 11 – 14 September
12 Central European Rally 16 – 19 October
13 FORUM8 Rally Japan 06 – 09 November
14 Rally Saudi Arabia 27 – 30 November
