The all-new event marks a historic moment for the sport, and M-Sport arrives with an exciting four-car Puma Rally1 line-up.

Full-season crews Grégoire Munster and Louis Louka, and Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy continue their 2025 campaigns as the team targets a positive finish to end the year on the challenging desert stages. The season finale also sees the welcome return of Mārtiņš Sesks and Renārs Francis, who rejoin the team for their final appearance of the year following a strong part-season programme in the Ford Puma Rally1.

Adding further anticipation to the weekend, motorsport legend Nasser Al-Attiyah will make his Rally1 debut with M-Sport Ford, tackling WRC’s top category for the first time alongside co-driver Cándido Carrera. The multi-discipline champion brings a wealth of experience on Middle Eastern terrain, having secured an incredible 20 championship titles in the Middle East Rally Championship, ensuring significant local interest and making his maiden outing in the Puma Rally1 a major storyline of the event.

The debut Saudi Arabian route promises fast desert tracks, technical sections, and an unfamiliar challenge for the entire field. With four Ford Puma Rally1 cars taking the start, M-Sport aims to end the season on a positive note and make a strong impression on this historic new addition to the WRC.

M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Principal, Richard Millener, said:
“It’s a privilege to be part of the first-ever WRC Rally Saudi Arabia. The event represents an exciting new chapter for the sport, and we’re proud to bring such a strong and diverse driver line-up. Grégoire and Josh have made real progress throughout the season, Mārtiņš returns to us with the same enthusiasm and speed he’s shown all year, and welcoming Nasser for his Rally1 debut adds enormous excitement - not just for the team, but for rally fans across the region.”

Grégoire Munster said:
“This is my first time in Saudi Arabia, and I’m really interested to experience the culture here and discover this brand new rally. The stages are definitely going to be a real challenge. The terrain is a mix of sandy sections and much rougher patches, with plenty of big rocks lining the roads, so managing punctures and keeping the car in good shape will be crucial.

“It’s going to be a demanding rally, but also one that offers opportunities if you stay smart. We’ll approach it with a solid plan, and hopefully turn it into a strong result to end the season.”

Josh McErlean said:
“Heading into Saudi Arabia, I’m fully focused on ending my debut Rally1 season on a strong note. Japan was a tough weekend, but we’ve reset quickly and put everything into preparing for this new challenge. With the event being completely new for everyone, it really levels the playing field with no previous data to rely on.

"From what we’ve learned so far, the stages will change character quickly, so it’s the kind of rally where you need to be smart, stay committed, and strike the right balance between caution and pushing on. I’m excited for the challenge and ready to give it everything.”

Mārtiņš Sesks said:
“I’m excited to be back with M-Sport for the final round of the season, especially for a new event as intriguing as Rally Saudi Arabia. This is another great opportunity to continue the progression we’ve made with the Puma throughout the 2025 season. With the rally being brand-new for all the crews, it puts everyone on equal ground, which is a nice challenge to take on.

“The stages will be challenging, and adapting quickly will be key. I’m looking forward to learning as much as possible, supporting the team, and finishing the season with a positive performance.”

Nasser Al-Attiyah said:
“I’m incredibly proud to make my Rally1 debut with M-Sport Ford, and to do it here in Saudi Arabia makes the moment even more special. I’ve followed the evolution of the Puma Rally1 closely, and it’s an honour to finally experience this level of performance for myself. Rallying in the region is growing rapidly, and to be part of the first WRC event in Saudi Arabia is a huge privilege. My goal is to enjoy the challenge, learn as much as I can, and represent the fans here in the Middle East with a strong performance.”