Motorsport
WRC rookie McErlean starting to feel he belongs at rallying’s elite level
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Josh McErlean is eager to build on a confidence boosting result that left the World Rally Championship rookie starting to feel he belongs in rallying’s top tier.
The M-Sport-Ford driver heads to this week’s sixth round of the world championship in Sardinia, buoyed by what is regarded as his best drive since stepping up to the top Rally1 category, after three years competing in slower WRC2 machinery.
McErlean began the season with an impressive seventh on debut in Monte Carlo, but a run to eighth in Portugal last month is regarded as a bit of a breakthrough moment. The reason being that 25-year-old was consistently faster than his more experienced full-time M-Sport team-mate Gregoire Munster.
McErlean’s performance helped answer some of his own personal doubts regarding his ability to compete at the top level.
“It is been a very long weekend, demanding for car and crew and to finish as the first Puma home is really nice,” said McErlean of his performance in Portugal.
"I’ve enjoyed it and it is one of those weekends where you appreciate why you are here, maybe we belong here now, I don’t know.
"Sometimes you are thinking whether you belong here or not but to be against these guys and matching them and beating them is a nice confidence boost. It is one of those things and you have stay modest and realistic.”
McErlean is hoping to carry this momentum into Sardinia this week, which will also see the WRC’s elite tackle similar rough gravel stages to those faced in Portugal.
“Rally Sardinia is one of the toughest events on the European calendar - rough, technical, and relentless,” added McErlean.
“But you have to learn to love this rally. It’s a real test for both car and crew, and that’s exactly what makes it so rewarding. We had a positive run in Portugal, and the goal is to carry that rhythm into this weekend.”
McErlean’s M-Sport team enjoyed a positive pre-event test for Sardinia’s stages last week, but the team is fully aware that the event will be particularly gruelling, with ambient temperature set to reach 34 degrees.
“Sardinia is always one of the toughest challenges of the year and it looks like next week’s event will be no different. With the weather we’re set to have, managing the tyres and the temperature inside the car is going to be the main challenge,” said M-Sport team principal Richard Millener.
“Our crews are well-prepared for the rough gravel conditions after Rally de Portugal a few weeks ago, and after a positive pre-event test in Sardinia we are looking forward to making more progress during the rally next week.”
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