BREEN LOW DESPITE ENDING 2022 ON A HIGH
Craig Breen hit back from the crash that put him out of Rally Japan’s opening leg after four stages by winning the Powerstage on Sunday.
Breen crashed his M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 into a barrier on stage four to compound a frustrating season for the Irishman, who was being co-driven by James Fulton for the first time following Paul Nagle’s retirement last month after 102 WRC starts. After selecting a “full wet package of tyres in the hope the rain comes for the Powerstage”, Breen’s prayers were answered when the forecasted rain came for the deciding two stages of the season.
Despite his late flurry of stage wins, the 32-year-old, who ended the season seventh in the standings, could find little reason to celebrate. “It’s been another trying weekend and I feel very sorry for everybody involved,” he said. “We deserve much better results than we’ve been getting but it just wasn’t to be.”
Breen’s future at M-Sport continued to be the subject of speculation during the Japan weekend with service park regulars suggesting a return to Hyundai could be announced this week, despite Breen’s insistence that his two-year deal with the British team means he’s staying put.