M-Sport Ford World Rally Teams

[rallyfiend]

Well put.

but all this logic applied by the haters, we wouldn't have had Loeb, Ogier etc who were all HEAVILY funded by their ASN's and pushed up the chain for a period of time based on money....

[Typ85]

Is McErlean even that rich or is simply most promising driver among Irish ones, where funding is decent?

Motorsport was always full of rich people, nothing new here. Cheaper cars would not stop rich people of joining main class, it will just allow some less rich but talented drivers to join it too.

But Meeke is also Irish. And a lot faster. Just checked, McErlean has newer won an international event. Also in rally2 class.. just one podium in his career in Portugal, is that really enough? Yes he is young, and maybe gets faster but cmon, thats bullsh*t...

[Sulland]

I will give McErlan a chance to prove himself in a RC1 car.
He has not proved himself as a ragular top contender in RC2, but he is still a young man.

Lets see after half a season, if he was pushed up too early.

[Jarek Z]

McErlean has shown good pace at times this year and was very close to taking a WRC2 win

Come on! Kajto is 45 years old and he beat McErlean in every single rally this year:
https://www.wrc.com/result-and-stand...4_wrc2&lang=en

[archie106]

Sure, I'm not saying McErlean will be world champion next year, I'm saying give him a chance.

Also Kajto is a 3 time ERC champion. Loeb won Monte Carlo at 48 so I'm not sure the relevance of Kajtos age when he has a lot of experience.

[Backa]

But Meeke is also Irish. And a lot faster.

And not promising. McErlean was 9th in WRC2 and among 8 drivers that beat him, only Pajari and Solberg were younger.

There is quite crazy coincidence, Craig Breen as 25 years old driver was 9th in WRC2 and among 8 drivers that beat him, only Lappi and Tidemand were younger.

[AndersX]

I think that majority here is not actually disappointed for the fact that McErlean got a chance, but more about how it is all happening and what is the situation around it. But, i suggest to read provided Press Release carefully and you will find extensive references to John Coyne, founder and patron of Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy.

- this clearly looks like a real national project with very patriotic and burning for the national rally Irishman behind it. It also looks like a good build-up for WRC return to Ireland, latest 2026. There are means, heart and purpose.

- McErlean attracted attention few years ago in ERC. He was setting interesting times on fast gravel, even he had grown up on twisty tarmac. He was on rise, but main problem - could not pull together excellent results. But, he clearly is one of the Next Gen guys with high ceiling, if he will be able to cope with given challenge. He has natural speed to be fast and be at least faster than his teammate.

- What is wrong in all this - he is thrown into the cold open seas to participate in Iron Man even he had been swimming only in the pool, shorter distances. As we have seen in the past, there are guys, who simply can not cope psychologically with the big jump - cars have different physics, they cost million, every scratch costs, every mistake is scrutinised by millions, media, pr activities, tests, PETs etc. ect. To go from low profile ERC or few events in WRC2 to the spot light, with handicapped car - not every one can cope with it. It remains to be seen how Josh will manage this big jump.

- I think that juniors should not be given full season at once, without some test events. smth like Pajari case - when you have clear visuals that the person and crew can cope with it. If not - it can break promising carriers. Look at Camilli, Loubet, Greensmith, Sunninen, even Solberg. Another point - Pajari will drive the 4th car, no pressure, no attention. in M-Sport, those youngsters are 2 registered all year driver.

In conclusion - i believe that Josh McErlean will become a good top 10 rally driver in foreseeable future and I hope this unreasonably high jump to WRC all season will not break him.

[AndersX]

About Sesks: actually I am ok, that he is not doing all season. (Read my arguments about junior drivers and full season problem as a 2nd driver above). I am pretty sure his team would not miss an opportunity to build up on this years success. Remind to be seen how many evens and when ( his insta few days ago had interesting pic from his flight to Sweden, without any comments or follow ups). Lets hope he was able to pull together more than 1 event. We need personalities like him in WRC.

[SubaruNorway]

About Sesks: actually I am ok, that he is not doing all season. (Read my arguments about junior drivers and full season problem as a 2nd driver above). I am pretty sure his team would not miss an opportunity to build up on this years success. Remind to be seen how many evens and when ( his insta few days ago had interesting pic from his flight to Sweden, without any comments or follow ups). Lets hope he was able to pull together more than 1 event. We need personalities like him in WRC.

He was just doing some EV road car testing with Østberg in Umeå it looked like

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I'm ok with McErlean at M-Sport as at least he is new and young with time to develop. He has ambition and it's better to have him than some old rich nobody (or no-one at all and M-Sport out of WRC.)

Sesks and some others will probably get a few 2025 M-Sport drives with Promoter funding, so all is not lost.