M-SPORT FORD EMBARKS ON NEW CHALLENGE IN THE HEART OF SOUTH AMERICA

M-Sport Ford World Rally Team heads into uncharted territory next week as the FIA World Rally Championship makes its debut in Paraguay for round ten of the Championship season. Taking on this brand-new challenge for the first time, the team fields two crews: Grégoire Munster and Louis Louka, alongside Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy-backed pairing Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy.

Rally del Paraguay will test competitors on a demanding mix of technical and fast stages carved through dense vegetation. The event’s distinctive red-earth roads are expected to throw everything at the crews: soft surfaces that quickly rut, hidden bedrock, and an unpredictable blend of wide straights, narrow sections, and tight junctions. With no prior WRC history, there are no onboards or reference points for teams to study, making adaptability the key to success. When rain arrives, the stages are expected to become treacherously slippery, placing a premium on car set-up, braking stability, and acceleration performance.

Munster and Louka arrive in Paraguay buoyed by the confidence gained from a string of recent gravel events. Building on their consistency and pace throughout the season, the duo is aiming to use that momentum to push for a strong result on these new stages.

For McErlean and Treacy, the rally marks another milestone in their debut WRC campaign and their first competitive outing in South America. The Irish crew has shown impressive progress during the year, learning with every kilometre, and will be focused on continuing their upward trajectory - both in terms of car set-up and stage strategy - while pushing to match the pace of their teammates.

Based in the southern city of Encarnación, near the Argentinian border, Rally del Paraguay promises a fresh and unpredictable test for the world’s best rally crews. For the M-Sport team, it’s a chance to embrace the unknown, lean on the gravel experience built this year, and fight for a competitive result in the heart of South America.

Richard Millener, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Principal, said:

"Paraguay represents an exciting new chapter for the championship and a true leveller for the teams. With no historical data, it comes down to how quickly crews can adapt, learn, and commit to the stages. Both Grégoire and Josh have shown strong progression this season, and this rally offers a fantastic opportunity for them to take another step forward."

Grégoire Munster said:

“I’m really looking forward to going to Paraguay. It’s a brand-new event for everyone, which is always an exciting challenge. From the stage footage we’ve seen, the surface looks quite slippery in places - almost like Kenya - but it’s faster and more straightforward overall. In the mountain sections there are also some steep inclines, which will add to the challenge. It looks like a great new addition to the Championship because it’s so different from what we already have on the calendar. I can’t wait to discover the country and enjoy tackling these new stages.”

Josh McErlean said:

“Paraguay is a completely new event for all of us, so we’re heading in with a clean slate. That can be a positive because it means everyone starts from the same place. From what we’ve seen, the surface looks mostly clay with some fast sections and long straights, and in parts it even has a bit of a Safari feel. It’ll also be my first time competing in South America, which is really exciting. With Chile coming up straight afterwards, it’s a big few weeks with plenty to learn, but we’ll take it all step by step and make the most of this South American adventure.”

Published 22 August 2025. Image courtesy of ueno Rally del Paraguay.