ERC
Champion Carlberg praises Junior ERC role as he sets out Junior WRC goals
Calle Carlberg said his progression to the FIA Junior WRC Championship for 2026 is reason for other young, underfunded drivers to never give up on their dreams.
Swede Carlberg is preparing to graduate to the M-Sport Poland-run, Ford Fiesta Rally3-based series as his prize for winning the FIA Junior ERC Championship in 2025.
He’d previously stepped up to European level after he earned a prize drive with the ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team for winning what is now the ADAC Opel GSE Rally Cup in 2023.
Swedish sensation dominated the 2025 Junior ERC title chase
© ERC
“This is the opportunity every young rally driver dreams of,” said Carlberg, 25. “Winning the European title was a massive achievement for us, but to have earned a place in the Junior WRC through a prize drive is truly fantastic.
“I’ve never really had the funding behind me to challenge for titles at this level, but with the FIA ladder of opportunities I’ve been able to get to where I am. By starting in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup I secured a factory drive in Junior ERC. And now by winning the Junior ERC title I’ve been able to move up to the world stage and Junior WRC.
“It’s amazing to show young up-and-coming drivers that are in the same position as me that it’s not impossible. There are opportunities out there. Let’s hope the story doesn’t end after 2026 and that we can continue winning these prize drives.”
Carlberg, who also claimed the FIA ERC4 title in 2025, won four times last season with victories in Hungary, Poland, Italy and Croatia.
Victory in Hungary was the first of four for reference Carlberg
© ERC
Looking ahead to his debut Junior WRC season, which gets under way on home soil in Sweden next month, Carlberg said: “The step up to the world championship is significant, and the competition will be fierce. Our goal is clear: we are going there to fight for the title. We are already deep into preparations to ensure we are ready from the first stage in Sweden.”
Rally Sweden opens the five-round Junior WRC schedule from 12 - 15 February when Carlberg will continue his highly successful partnership with experienced Norwegian co-driver Jørgen Eriksen.
Meanwhile, BAUHAUS Royal Rally of Scandinavia is up first on the 2026 Junior ERC schedule. The Karlstad-based event takes place over fast-paced gravel stages from 22 -24 May.
