M-SPORT OVERCOMES TOUGH RALLY JAPAN TO COMPLETE EVENT WITH ALL THREE CARS

Jürgenson shines in RC2 despite brake drama as M-Sport crews battle heat, tyre challenges and demanding Japanese stages

M-Sport Ford World Rally Team endured a demanding Rally Japan but emerged with all three entries reaching the finish, gaining valuable experience and collecting encouraging results across both Rally1 and Rally2 categories.

Hot temperatures, changing grip levels and the narrow, technical asphalt roads of Japan created a challenging environment throughout the seventh round of the FIA World Rally Championship. Despite setbacks, the British team secured top-10 overall finishes for Jon Armstrong and Josh McErlean, while RC2 contender Romet Jürgenson delivered one of the standout performances of the weekend.

JÜRGENSON'S PROMISING RC2 CHARGE HALTED BY BRAKE FAILURE

The most eye-catching performance from the M-Sport camp came from Estonian crew Romet Jürgenson and Siim Oja aboard the Ford Fiesta Rally2.

Making their Rally Japan debut, the pair immediately established themselves among the leading RC2 competitors, setting multiple top-three stage times and demonstrating impressive pace on unfamiliar roads.

However, their hopes of a stronger result suffered a major setback on Saturday when a complete brake failure midway through SS9 cost more than two and a half minutes.

Despite the disappointment, Jürgenson responded strongly. He secured his first stage victories of the event on the spectator stages later that day before continuing to post competitive times throughout the final leg.

The Estonian ultimately finished fifth in RC2 and 14th overall, a result that failed to reflect the speed shown across much of the rally.

ARMSTRONG BUILDS CONFIDENCE ON JAPAN DEBUT

Jon Armstrong and co-driver Shane Byrne experienced a steady learning weekend in the Ford Puma Rally1.

After a cautious start and tyre strategy challenges on the damp opening stages, Armstrong gradually improved his pace as the rally progressed. Setup changes during Saturday's stages helped improve the car's turn-in characteristics, allowing the Northern Irishman to gain confidence and find a stronger rhythm.

A clean and mistake-free run through the final day secured eighth overall and valuable championship points.

"It's easy to just come to a rally and push and end up having mistakes. One of our goals for this event was to have a clean rally and I think you can say that we've done that," said Armstrong.

DIFFICULT WEEKEND FOR MCERLEAN

Team-mate Josh McErlean and co-driver Eoin Treacy faced a more frustrating event.

A puncture on Friday cost significant time, while handbrake issues, brake temperatures and ongoing setup difficulties limited the Irish driver's ability to attack with confidence. Changing light conditions and heavy shadows on the forest roads added another layer of difficulty throughout the weekend.

Despite the challenges, McErlean completed the rally in 10th overall and gained valuable experience during what could be the final tarmac appearance of the current Rally1 generation.

"I've tried many things, kept the rhythm and kept trying to improve. It's been special to drive the Rally1 car on tarmac. It's the end of an era, but I can always say that I drove a Rally1 car with our team," McErlean said.

TEAM TAKES POSITIVES FROM DIFFICULT CONDITIONS

Team Principal Richard Millener acknowledged the challenges presented by unusually hot conditions, which complicated tyre management and car setup throughout the event.

While Armstrong and McErlean struggled to unlock the pace they were searching for, Millener highlighted Jürgenson's speed and resilience as one of the key positives from the rally.

"Romet delivered some incredible times over the weekend and it was a bitter blow to see him drop time with the brake issue, but he recovered amazingly and kept a fantastic attitude over the remainder of the event," Millener said.

The team boss also praised the Japanese fans, whose enthusiastic support once again created one of the most vibrant atmospheres of the WRC season.

With Rally Japan completed, M-Sport now shifts its focus to the upcoming gravel events, where the team hopes to build on the lessons learned from one of the championship's most technically demanding asphalt rallies.

FINAL CLASSIFICATIONS

RC1

• 8th Overall – Jon Armstrong / Shane Byrne

• 10th Overall – Josh McErlean / Eoin Treacy

RC2

• 5th RC2 / 14th Overall – Romet Jürgenson / Siim Oja

KEY POINTS

• M-Sport brought all three cars to the finish of Rally Japan.

• Romet Jürgenson impressed with multiple top-three stage times on his Rally Japan debut.

• A brake failure on SS9 cost Jürgenson more than two and a half minutes in RC2.

• Jürgenson recovered to claim two stage victories and finish fifth in RC2.

• Jon Armstrong secured eighth overall after steadily improving throughout the rally.

• Josh McErlean battled punctures, setup issues and brake management challenges to finish 10th overall.

• High temperatures and changing grip conditions created difficult tyre strategy decisions throughout the event.

• M-Sport leaves Japan with valuable experience ahead of the upcoming gravel rounds.