McErlean ready for 'final push' in Saudi Arabia

Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy will contest the final round of their debut WRC season in Saudi Arabia

Josh McErlean says he is ready for a "final push" as he embarks on the final event of his debut World Rally Championship season in Saudi Arabia.

The 26-year-old from Northern Ireland stepped up to the top tier of the WRC with M-Sport for 2025 and has three best finishes of seventh place across the season.

McErlean and co-driver Eoin Treacy will embark on 14 stages of rough desert terrain after after a short stage to open the event in Jeddah on Wednesday night.

"I really want to finish the year on a positive note," Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver McErlean said.

"We've taken big steps forward across the season, and the target now is to put everything together for this final push."

While a lot of attention will be on the title battle at the final round, which will see Wales' Elfyn Evans try to hold on to his slim advantage at the top of the standings over eight-time champion Sebastien Ogier and two-time winner Kalle Rovanpera, McErlean is focused on ending his rookie season on a positive note.

"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."

After his deal to step up to the top tier was announced just one month before the opening round of the season, McErlean admitted his preparations had been "quick and fast".

In that sense, his first campaign in a Rally1 car has been a baptism of fire.

The highlights have been seventh places in Monte Carlo, Finland and the Central European Rally - which are all events with very different characteristics.

Accidents in both South American events in Paraguay and Chile, as well as an off in the penultimate round of the season in Japan, were low points, but McErlean is determined to embrace the final round of the campaign.

It is the first time the World Rally Championship has had a round in Saudi Arabia, and the rally will comprise of a mix of flowing open desert and fast, rocky roads which can catch out even the most experienced of drivers.

"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 form book.

"You can lose time with caution, but you can also lose a rally with one mistake. It's all about finding that balance."