The Rally1 rookie proving he belongs in the WRC top flight

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M-Sport-Ford’s new signing Jon Armstrong feels his head turning pace in Croatia last weekend has proved he belongs in the World Rally Championship’s top tier.

At the start of the year, the 2025 European Rally Championship runner-up outlined that one of his objectives was to prove he deserves a place in rallying’s elite after M-Sport showed faith in the Northern Irishman to make the leap to Rally1 machinery.

“It’s not my first time in WRC, but my first time at the highest level,” said Armstrong ahead of January’s season opener in Monte Carlo. “It’s strange to be rubbing shoulders with them but the main thing is to try and prove that I belong here. We have done good rallies in ERC but I need to show what we can do at this level.”

Armstrong has wasted little time proving he can fight with rallying’s elite, turning heads in Monte Carlo, Sweden and Kenya.

But last weekend’s outing on Croatia’s asphalt outlined his true potential, posting top three stage times in 10 tests, regularly mixing with and beating rivals from factory teams Toyota and Hyundai, driving cars that have undergone much more development than his Ford Puma.

The 31-year-old and co-driver Shane Byrne came agonisingly close to claiming a first stage win, missing out by 0.1s to 2024 world champion Thierry Neuville in stage three.

While an error in the following stage meant he missed the Friday afternoon loop, Armstrong showed what he is capable of by finishing third in the Super Sunday standings and on the Power Stage to claim six valuable points. Only Toyota’s Oliver Solberg and Elfyn Evans were quicker than the M-Sport driver through Sunday’s stages.

Having proved his speed, the 2017 WRC esports champion says his next goal is to claim a top five finish and believes the trip to the Canary Islands next week could offer up an opportunity to achieve it.

Jon Armstrong, Shane Byrne, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1

Jon Armstrong, Shane Byrne, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1

“I think this weekend has been perfect to answer that question [about proving that I belong here in the WRC,” Armstrong told Motorsport.com.

“But on the gravel rallies we still need to understand fully because Kenya is not really a full gravel rally. We will need to learn more on the loose surface to see where we are. I don’t think we will be so bad, but we need to work harder on that than tarmac. Even Sweden was nice, but I think we have shown what we can do and we belong here.

“For sure, it has been good to get close to the front runner’s pace. It is one of those rallies that has been tough but our pace has been good. I think over half of the stages we have been in the top three, which is quite good and quite close to the fastest time again. To get P3 on the Power stage and on Super Sunday is very strong for us, so I’m happy with that.

“I knew if I could do everything correctly it would be possible [to be strong in Croatia]. The big thing is learning what the car is capable of doing and especially with the aero in the fast places, but I have been starting to understand that.

“I think we probably should have got one [a stage win], but at the same time it is not going to change the world if we get it but it will be nice when we do. It is more important to focus on getting a top five result, and I think in the Canary Islands it could be possible if we stay clean.”

The performance was well received by M-Sport-Ford team principal Richard Milliner, who had set a lofty objective for his drivers to challenge and beat the factory Hyundai crews in rallies this year.

“It’s been a really exciting rally for us, and it’s fantastic to see the pace Jon and Shane have shown throughout the entire weekend,” said Millener.

"To watch them fighting at the top of the stage timesheets against far more experienced Rally1 crews and to come away with third overall in the Power Stage and Super Sunday points, is an outstanding achievement."

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