McErlean targets strong finish to Rally1 debut season in Saudi Arabia

Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver Josh McErlean is looking for a positive end to his debut season at the top level of the FIA World Rally Championship as he heads to the all-new Rally Saudi Arabia [25–29 November], the final round of the year.

The Irishman arrives in Jeddah determined to reset quickly after his early exit in Japan and channel his efforts into closing out his first season in the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 with a strong performance. With the event completely new to the WRC, McErlean and co-driver Eoin Treacy are preparing for one of the biggest unknowns of the year.

Based at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Rally Saudi Arabia offers a unique blend of open desert speed and rugged, technical, narrow sections. Crews will face ultra-fast, wide gravel roads with sweeping corners and blind crests, before the character switches to rougher, rock-strewn terrain where accuracy and tyre management become crucial. Shifting sand and inconsistent grip are expected to pose significant challenges, particularly on the second passes of the unique tests.

“It’s too early to reflect on the season as a whole because there’s still a huge job to do next weekend”, said McErlean.

“This rally is a complete unknown for everyone, and that makes it one of the toughest events of the year. There’s no previous data, no old onboard videos to compare, and no real formbook. We know the speeds will be high in places, but there are also rocky sections where you can easily damage the car if you’re even slightly off-line.”

Since returning from Japan, McErlean has focused on preparing for the unique demands of the Saudi stages.

“We’ve been working flat out since Japan to learn as much as possible,” he continued. “From what we understand, the surface can go from smooth and fast to really abrasive very quickly, so you need to adapt immediately. You can lose time with caution, but you can also lose a rally with one mistake. It’s all about finding that balance.”

With his debut Rally1 season nearing its conclusion, McErlean remains motivated to deliver a clean and competitive run.

“I really want to finish the year on a positive note,” he added. “We’ve taken big steps forward across the season, and the target now is to put everything together for this final push. It’s a fresh challenge for everyone in the championship, and that gives us an opportunity too. The focus is fully on the rally, one stage at a time, managing the conditions, and getting the most out of the car and ourselves. Most of all, we want to enjoy the experience and keep picking up the knowledge for the future.”