PRESS RELEASE
Jon Armstrong to make Rally1 debut at Rallye Monte Carlo as 2026 WRC season begins
Fermanagh driver set for first competitive outing in M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 as full-season campaign gets underway
Monaco Harbour – 17th of January 2026
Ahead of the opening round of his maiden FIA World Rally Championship campaign, Jon Armstrong has shared his thoughts as he prepares for Rallye Monte Carlo, one of the most iconic and unpredictable events on the WRC calendar.
The Fermanagh native outlines his preparation for his first competitive outing aboard M-Sport’s Ford Puma Rally1, as he steps up to a full season at rallying’s highest level. Armstrong makes the move into the WRC following a standout 2025 campaign, where he narrowly missed out on the European Rally Championship title, ending the season with overall victories on Rally Croatia and Rali Ceredigion.
The Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy driver last competed on the world stage just over three years ago, when he finished as Vice Junior WRC champion for the second year running, underlining his long-standing potential at an international level.
Once again partnered with co-driver Shane Byrne, Armstrong’s focus turns firmly to round one of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship – Rallye Monte-Carlo. The four-day season-opener begins with its traditional ceremonial start in Monaco before heading into the French Alps for 17 demanding asphalt stages, where changeable conditions, snow and ice remain an ever-present threat.
Quote – Jon Armstrong
“I am really looking forward to competing in my first Rallye Monte-Carlo,” said Armstrong. “It is a dream event in itself, but to be starting it in a Rally1 car at the highest level makes it even more special. Rolling out from Casino Square in Monaco and heading up into the mountains on Thursday night is the stuff of dreams. Monte is always such a demanding rally, especially with the weather. While I wouldn’t say I’m apprehensive, you’re definitely going into the unknown, which is really what rallying is all about.
“The focus for us is just to enjoy it, get a good feeling with the car, and concentrate on what we can control. We’ve got our pre-event test coming up this weekend, which is vital for building confidence with the tyres and the car, and for taking things step by step. There are many new elements, but the one constant is the partnership with my co-driver, Shane Byrne. We will try to learn as quickly as we can and do the best job possible.
“It’s also my first full season in the WRC, which is a massive opportunity. When we first started talking to M-Sport and the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy about the programme, even getting the chance to do a full season was a huge surprise and very exciting. Being able to contest all 14 rounds is incredibly valuable, especially as the championship enters a transitional phase with new regulations coming. Having a full year of experience at this level is really important, and hopefully, we can show our potential and put ourselves in a good position for 2027. On top of that, getting to compete in Rally1 cars in their final season is pretty special.
“In terms of preparation, you can never fully prepare yourself for Monte-Carlo, but we’ve done as much as possible. There has been a lot of research on the event, plenty of work learning the car, and time spent at M-Sport’s facilities doing testing and evaluation. I’ve also been in the workshop, getting hands-on with the car and trying to slot into the team as quickly as possible. Once the season starts, the events come thick and fast, so it’s about following the processes we’ve used throughout our careers and trusting them.
“As for the Puma Rally1, I absolutely love it. The first time I drove it last September was an amazing experience. It almost feels like a PlayStation game at times – you point the car, get on the throttle, and control it through balance. The aero and the grip these cars generate is something really special. Of course, rallying is a different environment with constantly changing conditions, so it’s about learning how the car behaves in all scenarios and understanding it as deeply as possible.
“For Rallye Monte-Carlo specifically, the main aim is to understand the car. It’s not going to be easy, especially as it’s an event I’ve never done before, so we’ll take it step by step. If we can get a few solid stage times, build mileage, and really learn from the data, that will be a successful rally for us. The rest of the season will follow the same approach – identifying where we are, where we can improve, making small steps forward, and hopefully seeing progression throughout the year. Above all, we want to enjoy it. It’s an incredible opportunity, and we’re very grateful to M-Sport, the Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy, and all our partners for giving us the chance to compete at this level.”
Notes to Editors
- Event: Rallye Monte-Carlo (Round 1 of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship)
- Format: Four-day event, ceremonial start in Monaco, stages in the French Alps
- Stages: 17 asphalt stages, typically featuring mixed conditions, including snow and ice
- Driver: Jon Armstrong (Fermanagh, Northern Ireland)
- Co-driver: Shane Byrne
- Car: Ford Puma Rally1
- Team: M-Sport
- Programme: Full 2026 WRC season (14 rounds)
- Background: 2025 overall wins on Rally Croatia and Rali Ceredigion; Vice Junior WRC champion (twice, most recently just over three years ago)
About Jon Armstrong
Jon Armstrong is an Irish rally driver and Motorsport Ireland Rally Academy representative, competing at the highest level of international rallying. He steps up to a full FIA World Rally Championship campaign in 2026 with M-Sport, driving the Ford Puma Rally1 alongside co-driver Shane Byrne.
ENDS
