McErlean's WRC future unclear as he considers returning to Rally2

World Rally Championship (WRC) driver McErlean does not yet know where he will compete next season. He admitted he has no clarity on whether he will stay with the British team M-Sport Ford, and he has not ruled out a return to the lower Rally2 class. His main priority, he said, is to remain at the top level of the sport.

Best results this season

McErlean has driven for M-Sport Ford for the past two seasons. This year he achieved his best results: sixth place at the Acropolis Rally in Greece and sixth at the Rally Paraguay. In Greece the crew had been fourth before a penalty dropped it down the order.

At the final round of the European Rally Championship in Portugal, he tested M-Sport's new 2027 Ford Fiesta Rally2 WRC-Kit car, carrying out "zero car" duties. That does not guarantee he will stay with the team.

No decision yet

McErlean said talks are under way, but given the direction the championship is taking next year, much still depends on the academy. He said the motivation is there and he hopes to make something happen.

Asked about stepping back to Rally2, he answered cautiously: next year's Rally2 car might not be so bad, so he will weigh his options and see what is best.

Earlier experience and the market

Between 2020 and 2023, before joining M-Sport, McErlean drove a Hyundai Rally2 car. In 2024 he competed in a Toksport Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.

M-Sport is currently the only manufacturer to have developed a WRC-Kit version of its Rally2 car. Toyota is preparing a new WRC27 model, and the teams Project Rally One and WRT Rally1 Spain are also planned to use WRC27 machinery, though not at every round.