McErlean determined to “reset and showcase ability” after treacherous Monte Carlo Rally

McErlean determined to “reset and showcase ability” after treacherous Monte Carlo Rally

Josh McErlean’s opening weekend of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship season proved to be another valuable learning experience as he carefully navigated the unique and punishing challenges of Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Taking a cautious approach in the early stages, his primary focus was on understanding the constantly changing conditions that defined one of the most difficult iterations of the event in recent memory.

However, the unforgiving nature of the French Alps struck early on Thursday evening. McErlean and his co-driver went off the road 5.5 km into the opening night stage while battling treacherous conditions in the dark.
The car became stuck in a ditch, forcing an immediate retirement for the day.
Despite the setback, the M-Sport crew returned under restart rules on Friday to rebuild confidence. McErlean began to show his true potential during the second leg, setting an impressive sixth-fastest time on SS5. As the rally progressed, the elements continued to play a decisive role. During the darkness of SS9, the Irish crew slid off on a slippery right-hander, once again testing McErlean’s tarmac experience and resilience in adverse conditions.

Saturday’s focus shifted entirely to consistency and gathering data. The goal was to survive the demanding mountain passes to reach the fan-lined Monaco Harbour stage.
Ultimately, McErlean’s rally would come to an end on Sunday’s penultimate stage, when a heavy impact with the Armco just moments from the finish line damaged the front-left suspension. Despite the early exits, the four-day event delivered valuable lessons and insight into Monte-Carlo’s unique demands, providing a foundation as he looks ahead to a more confident push in Sweden, where he will draw on his strong experience from last year.

Reflecting on the weekend, Josh McErlean said: “It was a really tough Rallye Monte-Carlo for me personally, and not the result I wanted to start the season with. Monte is an event that can catch anyone out, and this weekend certainly tested me. Despite that, the support from M-Sport and the team never wavered, and there are still positives to take away. I’ll take the lessons on board, reset, and come back determined to show what we’re capable of.”

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