ERC
Armstrong and M-Sport reunite for ERC glory push
Jon Armstrong and the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team will return to the FIA European Rally Championship in 2025 as the line-up for the upcoming season continues to take shape.
Fifth in the 2024 title chase – his first at Rally2 level – after banking his breakthrough ERC podium on Rally Silesia last October, Armstrong will tackle a full European campaign for the second season running aboard a Ford Fiesta Rally2.
With Eoin Treacy stepping up to the FIA World Rally Championship to partner Josh McErlean in an M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Puma Rally1, Shane Byrne will co-drive Armstrong in 2025.
Like Armstrong, Byrne is supported by the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy. They will compete together for the first time on the West Cork Rally in Ireland from 14 - 16 March as part of their preparations for the ERC season-opening 42nd Rally Sierra Morena - Córdoba Patrimonio de la Humanidad in Spain from 3 - 6 April.
“I’m really looking forward to being back with M-Sport again for the ERC, we can now really build upon everything we learnt from last year,” said Armstrong, 30. “We had a really good end to the season, so hopefully we can work on the areas we didn’t capitalise on last year, try to have a really good season and hopefully push to be in the championship fight.
Armstrong has been at M-Sport building his own car
© ERC
“I’m really happy to have the support of the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, Seacon UK and my other sponsors, new and existing, on board for this year alongside the new partnership with Shane on the notes.”
Armstrong spent last week at M-Sport’s UK headquarters helping to build the Fiesta Rally2 he will use for his ERC bid in 2025, which also gave him a greater understanding of the car.
“I’ve really enjoyed being in the workshop building my new car this week, and the knowledge I’ve gained will hopefully give me a helping hand as we tackle the championship,” Armstrong said.
I’ve really enjoyed being in the workshop building my new car this week
John Coyne, Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy founder and patron, said: “We are delighted to continue our collaboration with M-Sport in developing young Irish rally athletes through all levels of the sport. By supporting Jon Armstrong in his second year at the top level of the ERC, we look forward to building on the strong progress he and Eoin Treacy, Academy co-driver, demonstrated in last year’s competition. With Eoin’s promotion to Rally1, in the M-Sport World Rally Team for 2025, we are delighted to have Shane Byrne step up to partner Jon, as part of our ongoing Academy co-driver development programme.”
M-Sport’s Richard Millener added: “It’s a huge pleasure to welcome Jon back to the team for the 2025 ERC. We saw some really positive development in his pace and maturity throughout last year in the Rally2 car, and I think we can set our sights on some top results from him and Shane this season. Jon has been working hard this last week helping the lads in the workshop, and he has hopefully gained some useful knowledge for himself as well.
“I’m happy we have the opportunity to expand our partnership with the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy and to be able to support upcoming Irish talent across both European and world Championships. I’m looking forward to seeing what Jon and Shane will achieve with the Fiesta Rally2 this season.”
