Craig Breen and co-driver Paul Nagle will lead M-Sport Ford into the FIA World Rally Championship’s hybrid era in 2022 after signing a two-year contract with the British-based team.
The Irishman will drive M-Sport Ford’s new Puma WRC Rally1 on all 13 rounds next year, marking Breen’s first full-time drive in the WRC following part-programmes with Hyundai and Citroën in recent seasons.
Breen sampled the Puma on gravel in Britain a few weeks ago and will have a longer test on both gravel and asphalt in Spain later this month.
“I have been working towards achieving a full-time seat in the World Rally Championship since I was a little boy, so this was an opportunity I just couldn’t turn down,” said Breen.
“It has been a long road for us in the World Rally Championship with many twists and turns but we have now been given a golden ticket to drive for the most prestigious marque in motorsport and fight for the World Rally Championship.”
Breen has claimed consecutive podium finishes in Estonia, Belgium and, last weekend, in Finland in a Hyundai i20 World Rally Car. He lies sixth in the drivers’ standings despite tackling only half the 10 rounds.
“I love rallying, every nuance of the sport, but especially the history. To add my name to the list of drivers that have driven for Ford is a bit surreal, drivers like Ari Vatanen, Hannu Mikkola, Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz. To have my name etched in the history books besides these greats is a huge privilege,” he added.
The identity of Breen’s team-mates has yet to be revealed, although current drivers Adrien Fourmaux and Gus Greensmith are tipped to stay with the outfit.
M-Sport managing director Malcolm Wilson said he had followed Breen’s development for more than 10 years, adding: “His performances this season have not gone unnoticed, delivering fantastic consistent results whilst only having a partial WRC programme.
“We have a fantastic car in the Puma and I have no doubt that Craig and the Puma will deliver success for the team in the coming seasons.”
