Jon Armstrong’s Proving Ground in the WRC
Jon Armstrong, a recent signing for M-Sport-Ford, has been making waves in the World Rally Championship (WRC) with his impressive performances. The Northern Irish driver believes that his strong showing in Croatia last weekend has solidified his place in the top tier of rallying.
At the start of the year, Armstrong, who was the runner-up in the 2025 European Rally Championship, set a clear objective: to prove he belongs in the elite level of rallying. M-Sport’s decision to entrust him with Rally1 machinery was a significant step, and Armstrong is determined to make the most of this opportunity.
“It’s not my first time in WRC, but my first time at the highest level,” Armstrong said before the 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.”
A Strong Start to the Season
Armstrong has quickly demonstrated his ability to compete with the best in the sport. His performances in Monte Carlo, Sweden, and Kenya have already caught the attention of fans and rivals alike. However, it was his outing in Croatia that truly highlighted his potential.
In the asphalt stages of the rally, Armstrong consistently posted top three times, often competing and even beating drivers from factory teams like Toyota and Hyundai. These teams have had far more development time on their cars compared to his Ford Puma.
The 31-year-old, along with co-driver Shane Byrne, came agonizingly close to securing a stage win. In stage three, they missed out by just 0.1 seconds to 2024 world champion Thierry Neuville. Despite an error in the following stage that cost them the Friday afternoon loop, Armstrong managed to finish third in the Super Sunday standings and on the Power Stage, earning six valuable points.
Only Toyota’s Oliver Solberg and Elfyn Evans were faster than Armstrong through Sunday’s stages, showcasing his competitive edge.
Looking Ahead to the Canary Islands
Having proven his speed, Armstrong now sets his sights on achieving a top five finish. He believes the upcoming trip to the Canary Islands could provide the perfect opportunity to accomplish this goal.
“I think this weekend has been perfect to answer that question [about proving that I belong here in the WRC],” Armstrong said. “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.”
Understanding the Car’s Potential
Armstrong also emphasized the importance of understanding the car’s capabilities, especially in high-speed sections. “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.”
While he acknowledges that a stage win would be a nice achievement, he believes the focus should remain on securing a top five result. “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.”
Team Principal’s Praise
M-Sport-Ford team principal Richard Milliner has been impressed by Armstrong’s performance. He set high expectations for his drivers to challenge and beat the factory Hyundai crews 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,” Milliner said. “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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