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M-Sport unleashes stunning 2026 WRC Ford Puma: will Irish drivers conquer the championship?

Simon Monroy by Simon Monroy
January 14, 2026
in Motorsports, WRC
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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M-Sport unleashes stunning 2026 WRC Ford Puma: will Irish drivers conquer the championship?

M-Sport Unveils Game-Changing 2026 Ford Puma Rally1 for World Rally Championship!

The automotive and motorsport world is buzzing with excitement as M-Sport Ford has officially unveiled the stunning new Ford Puma Rally1, set to dominate the 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC). Gone is the purple livery associated with Red Bull branding from 2025, making way for a bold new color scheme featuring striking white, green, and blue hues that are sure to catch the eye of fans and competitors alike.

This fresh look signifies more than just a cosmetic change; it reflects M-Sport’s deepened collaboration with Motorsport Ireland and its rally academy, leading to an all-Irish driver lineup for the upcoming season. Talented drivers Joshua McErlean and Jon Armstrong are stepping up to the plate, with McErlean returning for his second season after a remarkable rookie year that showcased his prowess after moving up from WRC2. Joining him is the seasoned 31-year-old Armstrong, who brings a wealth of experience after finishing as runner-up in the European Rally Championship in 2025, including impressive victories in Wales and Croatia.

As the team gears up for a competitive season, the engineering minds at M-Sport have been hard at work, focusing their off-season development efforts on perfecting the Puma’s geometry and weight balance. Lead engineer Tim Jackson spoke candidly at the end of last season, stating, “We have a small plan, but it is likely we won’t use all of the homologation jokers. There are a couple of things we are looking to do around geometry to let us do a couple of things with the weight, and so forth, to get that balance back.”

But what does this mean for performance? Jackson elaborated, “There are a couple of items that are not outright performance items. One of the things we worked on last year and in 2025 is brake cooling. None of that is homologated in these current cars, so you don’t see that development from the paperwork side of things.”

The importance of brake cooling cannot be overstated; it allows drivers to maintain peak performance throughout the stages. Jackson explained, “If you can do things on the car that lets the driver drive at 100%, you have gained performance.” This meticulous attention to detail is crucial, especially as the car approaches the end of its life cycle, where every investment must yield tangible returns.

Last week, M-Sport completed its pre-season testing in the scenic south of France, laying the groundwork for the highly anticipated Monte Carlo rally curtain-raiser next week. Jackson shared insights from the testing, saying, “Our test has gone really well. Obviously, our driver lineup is quite young. Jon is new to the team, so there is a lot of focus on getting him settled into the team and trying to build up mileage and experience to have confidence to take forward into the rally.”

With realistic expectations set, the team is aware of the challenges that lie ahead. “Monte Carlo is a rally where if you can be solidly good throughout the course of the weekend, you can be up there at the end of the rally,” Jackson noted. The strategy is clear: let others push too hard and make mistakes while M-Sport develops its momentum throughout the event.

As the 2026 World Rally Championship approaches, all eyes will be on M-Sport and its exciting new Ford Puma Rally1. Will this innovative vehicle and its talented drivers rise to the challenge and seize victory? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the competition is about to get fiercer than ever!

Tags: 2025-fia-world-rally-championship2026-world-rally-championshipjon-armstrongjoshua-mcerleanm-sport-ford
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