Cian Caldwell Confirms M-Sport ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy Campaign for 2026
Irish rally driver Cian Caldwell has confirmed plans to compete in the M-Sport ERC Fiesta Rally3 Trophy as part of the 2026 European Rally Championship (ERC) season.
The 21-year-old will drive a fiesta Rally3 prepared by the MCN Rally Team in the one-make championship, with continued support and guidance from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy. The overall Trophy winner will receive a Ford Fiesta Rally2 prize drive at JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion in September.
Caldwell arrives at ERC level off the back of an exceptional 2025 season in a Peugeot 208 Rally4, during which he secured three major Irish titles: the Motorsport Ireland Junior Rally Series Championship, the Motorsport Ireland National Rally Championship, and the Irish Forestry Championship.
He will once again be partnered by 24-year-old co-driver Paul McPhillips, a fellow Irish driver and Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy member, as the pair enter their second season together.
Caldwell wasted no time in making his mark at the wheel of the Fiesta Rally3, finishing 14th overall and taking victory in the Rally3 class on the Galway International Rally — an encouraging debut ahead of his ERC campaign.
"We really enjoyed how the rally went on our debut in the Rally3. I wasn't expecting any results and my main goal was to learn the car over the two-day rally. This was a great start for us and I look forward to working hard to improve our pace some more."
As part of their ERC preparations, the crew will compete in Rallye La Llana on April 10–11, using the event as a shakedown ahead of Round 1 of the European Rally Championship at Rally Sierra Morena the following weekend.
Having gained his first taste of European competition at JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion in 2024, Caldwell is relishing the step up to a full ERC campaign.
"This will be my first year driving the Fiesta Rally3 and I'm really looking forward to learning the car on some of the best stages in Europe. Although this will be my first year competing in the ERC, I feel this is a step in the right direction for our careers, for myself, Paul, and my sponsors. We're excited to kickstart our campaign in Spain for the opening round of the championship with guidance from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy."
Ahead of the season opener, Caldwell will officially launch his 2026 ERC campaign at Rally School Ireland later this month, where he will unveil the Ford Fiesta Rally3 to sponsors, supporters, and fans in what promises to be an exciting afternoon event.
