M-Sport Ford World Rally Team are ready and raring to launch into the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship season on Rallye Monte-Carlo next week with drivers Grégoire Munster and Josh McErlean.
Two Ford Puma Rally1 cars will line-up in Casino Square on Thursday afternoon, as Grégoire Munster and Louis Louka, and Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy prepare to take on the challenging season opener.
After a successful pre-event test in the Hautes-Alpes region, Munster and McErlean experienced both dry Tarmac and full-snow conditions to prepare themselves for the varied challenge of Rallye Monte-Carlo. The only mixed-surface event of the season, the iconic event raises a unique challenge for its competitors when making their selection of all-new Hankook tyres in Gap next week.
Next week’s event represents the 93rd edition of the historic Rallye Monte-Carlo, and is anticipated to bring as much excitement as ever. Starting with a grand ceremonial start in Monaco’s stunning Place du Casino, the rally then moves up to its base in Gap in the southern French Alps via three spectacular night time mountain stages, lit by flares and fireworks from excitable fans lining the roads.
Grégoire Munster returns to Monaco for his sixth outing on Rallye Monte-Carlo, his second in top-level Rally1 machinery. Last year’s edition, although bringing some misfortune to the Luxembourg driver, also saw him set some impressive top-five stage times which will bring him confidence heading into next week.
Now with a strong knowledge base of the rally, and more Rally1 experience under their belts, Munster and co-driver Louis Louka will look to maintain the increased pace and consistency fans saw towards the end of their 2024 season.
Meanwhile, newcomers Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy are set to make their Ford Puma Rally1 debuts on the iconic event next week. McErlean has enjoyed a quick rise to fame in previous seasons; thanks to support from the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, he delivered standout performances in WRC2 and the European Rally Championship that have earned him his new Rally1 seat. McErlean will return to Rallye Monte-Carlo with one previous edition in hand, using his knowledge to support him as he gets to grips with the new car.
The pair of Puma Rally1’s and their crews will line-up next week, gleaming in their all-new liveries to take on the 2025 season.
Richard Millener, Team Principal, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, said:
“It has been a busy few months getting everything into place for the first round of the season, but still we have once again managed it thanks to the committed and dedicated hard work from all the team. I would like to thank them, and all our other partners that continue to support us in the WRC.
“I am very much looking forward to 2025, it will be interesting to see how we can progress over the season. There are many new challenges ahead but I look forward to once again working with a young and determined driver line-up.”
Grégoire Munster said:
“We had a good pre-event test; the first day on the dry we tried some new things which I think will be a key factor for this year, and we had a good feeling on snow as well with this. There are some adjustments to make, now we don’t have the hybrid, but the feeling so far is good.
“Monte-Carlo is always a tricky event with all the varied conditions, especially with all the ice that can gather throughout the night. You need to have a car that you feel comfortable in, and that works on every surface, and we are confident we have this for the event. I can’t wait to experience the atmosphere on Thursday night during the night stages, it’s such a special feeling for the first stages of the new season. I think all the drivers know the feeling!”
Josh McErlean said:
“It was a fantastic couple of days of testing, we have learnt a lot from Greg and the team, they have been super supportive and welcoming, making the process easier jumping into the Rally1 car. The test itself was fantastic: these cars are amazing, the downforce and the grip they create is phenomenal! We got running both on snow and full dry conditions, making it very productive being our first time in the car.
“Lining up in Casino Square will be a special moment for me come next Thursday. It is a moment I have dreamt of since childhood, so I just want to appreciate and enjoy that. We are in a very privileged position and I just want to do the best job possible for everyone involved, be consistent and make progress throughout the event.”
Published 17 January 2025