M-Sport driver hopes to have learned from a tough start to 2026 WRC season yielding only two points from three rounds
Beleaguered M-Sport Ford driver Josh McErlean says it’s time to go back to basics for next week’s Croatia Rally.
The Irishman crashed at the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally, struggled for form in Sweden and then suffered a third round complicated by engine and transmission problems which ultimately forced him out of the Safari Rally at the end of the penultimate day.
Looking ahead to next week’s first pure asphalt outing of the season, McErlean said: “What’s done is done this season. I can’t change it, but I can learn from it. And getting the absolute basics right will mean that the pace we are looking for will come along more easily.
“Croatia is a technical rally, and so it needs those basics to be nailed. We have been looking at last year’s asphalt speed, and I feel we have made a step forward from that. We now must combine it all and ensure we get a solid weekend under our belts.”
Croatia is the first of two back-to-back asphalt WRC qualifiers, with the Canaries following a fortnight later.
“Having two Tar events on the bounce is a nice thing to have, as it means you can really find your balance, rather than adapting to different surfaces, and I’m looking forward to the first full asphalt test of the year.
“We have been working very hard to get a nice feeling on Tarmac underneath us [at the pre-event test], and that’s a really important factor on these types of events. On the gravel, to a degree, you have some flexibility, but not on the fast Tar events, so we have been really drilling down on getting that right and executing everything properly.
“It’s looking like a very interesting rally from what we have seen so far and having a new route will certainly level the playing field a little for everyone.”
Words:David Evans
Tags: Croatia Rally 2026, Josh McErlean, WRC, WRC 2026
Publish Date April 7, 2026 DirtFish
https://dirtfish-editorial.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2026/04/nf5Bb5F4-IMG_9991-780x493.jpeg April 7, 2026
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Katsuta feels “lighter” after maiden WRC win
Context:
McErlean refocuses on fundamentals after scoring just two points in three WRC rounds.
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Consecutive asphalt rallies offer crucial opportunity to build momentum and confidence.
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Croatia features a new route that could level the playing field for all drivers.