Munster set for Dakar Rally, WRC Monte Carlo double-header
by Tom Howard · AutosportM-Sport will field three Ford Puma Rally1 cars in the WRC season opener next month
Gregoire Munster will rejoin M-Sport-Ford for the opening round of the 2026 World Rally Championship next month off the back of competing as a co-driver at the Dakar Rally.
After two full WRC seasons piloting a Ford Puma Rally1, Munster’s rallying future appeared uncertain after M-Sport announced Josh McErlean and new recruit Jon Armstrong as its drivers to contest the full 2026 campaign.
M-Sport had stated that further driver announcements were on the horizon with the team now confirming that Munster and Louis Louka will pilot a Puma Rally1, owned by privateer Jourdan Serderidis, at the Monte Carlo season opener on 22-25 January.
It means Munster faces a hectic January schedule having also confirmed that he will co-drive for long-time supporter Serderidis in an M-Sport build Ford Raptor T1+ in the Dakar Rally. It is not the first time Munster has swapped driving for navigating, having joined Serderidis for the East African Safari Classic Rally earlier this month, where the pair finished third, driving a Porsche 911.
This year’s Dakar Rally is set to conclude on 17 January, with recce for Monte Carlo set to begin 48 hours later.
It is understood this is a one-off Rally1 appearance, although Munster has previously stated that he was looking at Rally2 options for 2026.
“I’m really happy and looking forward to starting the season in Monte Carlo. It’s where I took my first WRC stage win, and it’s always an event with tricky conditions, sometimes even full winter conditions with snow and ice,” said Munster.
“The stages are quite different from previous years, with a mix of new roads and some returning favourites, so that’s an exciting new challenge.
“We’ve seen throughout 2025 that the Puma Rally1 has performed well there on the Hankook soft tyres, and I know we have all the ingredients to do well. It will be a challenge, especially with going straight from Dakar directly into Monte Carlo recce the following day, so January will be very busy - but I’ll have time to sleep in February.”
Jurgenson secures M-Sport WRC2 programme in updated Fiesta
M-Sport has also confirmed that 2024 Junior WRC champion and rising star Romet Jurgenson has been retained for a WRC2 programme.
Jurgenson and co-driver Siim Oja made the leap to WRC2 last year which was a prize offered by the FIA Rally Star programme after winning the JWRC crown. The pair scored three top-six finishes from the six rounds contested in an M-Sport-prepared Ford Fiesta Rally2.
The 25-year-old was also runner-up in the British Rally Championship and finished second and fourth respectively in the final two rounds of the European Rally Championship.
With the FIA Rally Star initiative coming to an end, the Estonian duo have managed to secure a deal to stay at M-Sport with outings in Monte Carlo, Sweden and Kenya confirmed, with more rounds expected to follow.
Jurgenson will drive an upgraded Fiesta Rally2 that features a range of performance and reliability enhancements, including engine and electrical updates, revised suspension geometry, improved cockpit cooling, a new rear brake cooling kit, and a lightweight components package.
"I’m super happy and feel privileged to be starting my second consecutive season with M-Sport in WRC2. We’ll kick off the year at Monte Carlo, one of the most iconic events, where gaining experience is so important. Luckily, we’ll have the Jannerrallye and some testing beforehand, so it will definitely be an exciting start. After that, we continue to Sweden and Kenya, and hopefully we’ll be able to build an extended WRC2 season,” said Jurgenson.
“It’s great to start so early in the season, and with the updates we have on the car, I feel really positive and eager to get going. This is an important season for me to show both my speed and the capabilities of the car. Revisiting the same rallies as last year will be a valuable opportunity to take the next step.
“The FIA Rally Star programme has now come to an end, but being able to start another WRC2 season proves the programme was a success. I want to thank everyone who made it possible; it has truly changed my life. I’ll carry the logo with me throughout my career, and I hope I can make everyone proud. A huge thank you also goes to my personal sponsors, whose support has made this upcoming season possible."
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- The Autosport.com Team