Breen: “I know there will be other opportunities”

Craig Breen no longer has a full-time steering wheel WRC, but the former S-WRC champion remains optimistic about his chances of becoming a title contender again at world level. The 30-year-old Irishman has the chance to continue to evolve with Hyundai to show off. It will thus replace Sébastien Loeb this week at the Swedish Rally.

“It will be a small rally (following the shortening of the route due to the lack of snow), but it's fantastic to be back with Paul (Nagle, the co-driver), confides the man who has not competed in the WRC since Wales Rally GB 2019. I want the people at Hyundai to have no choice but to call us again. That will be the goal. »

Craig Breen will have to quickly get his bearings after only competing in two WRC events last year in the Hyundai i20 WRC.

“That’s how it worked last year. I discovered the car for a day and took part in the rally on the weekend, He explains. This is why I drove so many different cars on various events last year, I knew that I was going to one day return to the wheel of a WRC without necessarily having time to prepare. I think I'm used to changing cars and performing well from the start."

Craig Breen's main program will be oriented on the ERC where he will be entered in an i20 R5 with which he will aim for the title.

“It was in the cards last year. I approached the rallies one after the other without being sure of what would happen next, admits the former Citroën driver. It's really nice to have something concrete in place for me. It's a good thing for my career to maintain relationships with Hyundai. L'ERC is a great championship that I have great memories of. There are some great rallies, some of which I have won in the past and others that I want to add to my list of achievements. »

If a European title would restore weight on the international scene to Craig Breen, the Irishman is above all eyeing his possibilities to shine at the wheel of the i20 WRC.

“My ultimate goal is to return to the WRC, but unfortunately there are not enough cars for all the talents present, insists the Hyundai driver. Although I don't know when I will get behind the wheel of a WRC again, I am sure there will be other opportunities. I remain positive. »

Hyundai is currently competing in the WRC with 4 crews: Ott Tänak et Thierry Neuville are hired full-time while Sébastien Loeb and Dani Sordo are in support for several rounds.