World Rally Championship: Josh McErlean on ‘Formula 1 of rallying’
When Josh McErlean first stepped into a rally car at the age of 11, his dream was to win the World Rally Championship.
Now, he is one of 10 riders in the world preparing to compete at the top of the sport this year.
The 25-year-old driver from Northern Ireland, a member of the Motorsport Rally Academy of Ireland, will drive the Ford Puma Rally1 for the M-Sport World Rally Team.
“In terms of motorsport, it’s basically the Formula One of world rally racing,” McEllean told BBC Sport NI.
“You can’t get any better. This is the highest level and you’re racing against the best cars in the world.”
When he was 15, two years before he could legally drive on public roads, McErlean won the Junior 1000 Rally Challenge series and won the 2019 British Junior Rally Championship.
“All young riders dream of this moment,” he said, looking back on his journey.
“This is now a reality and I’m so grateful for everyone’s support.
“We’re in this position now and we have to make the most of it. It’s going to be an exciting time ahead.”
