Breen seals full-time WRC deal for 2022 with M-Sport Ford switch

The 31-year-old Irishman has been contesting part-time WRC campaigns with Hyundai since 2019 but a switch to M-Sport Ford on a full-time basis had been expected for next season. 

Breen’s move, which is part of a two-year deal, was officially confirmed on Wednesday morning following his third-place finish at last weekend’s Rally Finland. 

Teammate Paul Nagle will join Breen in making the switch to M-Sport Ford’s WRC squad for 2022, having helped Hyundai take back-to-back manufacturers’ title for the last two seasons. 

The pairing have scored four podiums for Hyundai, three of which have been achieved this year in consecutive events in Estonia, Belgium and most recently Finland. 

“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 is with great sadness that we can’t continue with Hyundai Motorsport but what an amazing story it has been; coming from nowhere, competing back at home in our regional Irish championship and flung back into the WRC. 

“Hyundai gave us our lifeline, a platform on which we could perform and show what we could do. We’ve had a few rollercoaster moments along the way, as well as many highlights, including our consecutive podiums in Estonia, Ypres and Finland. 

“We have also been part of the Customer Racing program, and enjoyed many victories, not least at Sanremo and the rallies we won in the Irish tarmac championship. 

“We part ways on the best of terms, having had an amazing experience and making lots of friends along the way. We now look forward to the future with gratitude and excitement.”

Hyundai have already signed Thierry Neuville and Ott Tanak for the 2022 season and on Wednesday it confirmed that Dani Sordo and Oliver Solberg will share a third car across selected events.