After a strong 2023 season, Jon Armstrong embarks on his career’s next chapter, stepping up into an M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2 for the 2024 European Rally Championship. The new partnership recognises Armstrong’s achievements across WRC and ERC feeder categories, whilst representing M-Sport’s long-standing tradition to present new opportunities to up-and-coming talent.
Not unfamiliar to an M-Sport-built Fiesta, Armstrong has been driving Fiesta Rally4 and Rally3 machinery since 2021. Just missing out on a title win in his debut Junior WRC season, he claimed two wins across four events in the Rally4. Armstrong’s determination to climb up through the categories was clear, and he would also claim a Junior ERC3 win on Rally Poland in the same year, his first outing in the Fiesta Rally3.
Armstrong saw in another year of rapid development in the Rally3 across both ERC and WRC feeder categories in 2022, claiming a handful of strong class results throughout the season in the Junior WRC3 category. These successes would then secure a full 2023 ERC programme in the Rally3, and Armstrong made a good first impression with a class win in ERC3 on his season debut on Rally Serras de Fafe. After another four category wins across both asphalt and gravel surfaces, he would go on to claim the ERC3 Championship, marking a career first championship win.
The 2023 season also saw Armstrong make an impressive debut in the Fiesta Rally2 on the Royal Rally of Scandinavia. Fighting in a highly competitive ERC field, on a brand-new and very tough event, alongside the challenge that the step-up to Rally2 machinery brings, Armstrong delivered a fantastic drive and finished the event 11th overall.
These accomplishments not only underscore Armstrong’s rising star status but also bring him to his first full Rally2 season with a strong relationship with M-Sport UK and M-Sport Poland. M-Sport feels Armstrong’s career so far exemplifies the effectiveness of the Rally Progression Pyramid and that the young driver is a perfect representative for M-Sport machinery in the European Rally Championship.
Malcolm Wilson, M-Sport UK Chairman, said:
"Jon’s achievements in 2023 exemplify the talent and potential we strive to support at M-Sport. Our philosophy has always centred on identifying and nurturing young drivers, providing them with the platform to excel at the highest levels of rallying. Jon’s progression so far and this new chapter with us for the 2024 ERC is a testament to our tradition of fostering talent and ambition in the sport."
Richard Millener, M-Sport WRC Team Principal, said:
“I have known Jon for a long time now and I am really happy to see him in one of our cars competing at the top level of the sport. I mentioned Jon’s name to Malcolm a number of years ago as one to watch, and to see him being given this chance makes me really happy. Jon really showed last year what he is capable of, and although the top category of the ERC will be a completely different scale challenge – I am sure him and Eoin will be able to deliver some strong results by using a sensible approach to each event.”
Maciej Woda, M-Sport Poland, said:
“We have had a long-term relationship with Jon, starting back in 2016 when he first started with us in the Drive DMack Fiesta Trophy. He has had a lot of ups and downs over this time, but the one thing which you could always see from Jon was pure speed and desire to fight on the stages.
“This is why went to the European Championship with Jon last year, to show the potential of Fiesta Rally3, but what he achieved exceeded our expectations. For sure, it’s a big step for him now, but we all believe in him and will try to support him with his new adventure.”
Jon Armstrong said:
“It is a dream come true to have the opportunity to complete a full year behind the wheel of a Rally2 car. We’ve been working on this for numerous years and I’m very grateful to M-Sport for the opportunity along with support from the MI Rally Academy, Seacon UK, C&M Motorsport Sales, and all of my close partners.
“It is brilliant to be working closely with Eoin [Treacy] and the MI Academy this year and I am really proud to be representing the rallying community at home. I am excited to collaborate with the other MI Academy members and to work towards our goals together.”
Published 27 March 2024