M-Sport’s Armstrong Wins Maiden ERC Rally Wales

Jon Armstrong, co-driven by Shane Byrne, achieved his maiden FIA European Rally Championship and British Rally Championship victories at the JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion in Wales, driving a Pirelli-equipped M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally2. Armstrong dominated the 12 challenging asphalt stages, including wet conditions on the final two tests, finishing 29.2 seconds ahead of his M-Sport teammate Romet Jürgenson, securing M-Sport's first ERC win since 2020. Championship leader Miko Marczyk finished third, setting up a close three-way battle for the ERC title with Armstrong and Andrea Mabellini, with the season finale scheduled for Rally Croatia. Armstrong overcame a spin and minor contact on a difficult stage but maintained a commanding lead through consistent pace and strategic decisions, including a bold tire gamble on the final day. The victory was emotionally significant for Armstrong, marking the culmination of years of hard work and establishing him as a top European rally prospect. The results keep the BRC and ERC championships open, with other contenders like William Creighton and Callum Black also delivering strong performances.