WILSON NOT CONVINCED BREEN COULD LEAD M-SPORT

Craig Breen won’t be an M-Sport driver next year because he hadn’t done enough to convince team founder Malcolm Wilson of his worth.

Breen joined M-Sport for the 2022 season on a two-year deal and impressed with third place on the Monte

Carlo Rally in January.

But his campaign quickly unravelled with a podium in

Sardinia the only big high during a season full of car-crashing lows.

“Craig delivered some solid results, but the consistency wasn’t there to lead the team into 2023,” said Wilson.

“I am proud of the role M-Sport had in making him the driver he is today and we had hoped to see him secure his first WRC victory with a Ford. Sadly, that wasn’t to be, but I wish him every success for the future.”

M-Sport team chief Richard Millener said: “Craig is very talented and has more to achieve in his career, but we need a new approach for 2023 and we turn our attentions towards securing a competitive line-up.”

Breen, 32, said: “It has been an important season as my first full-time drive and to complete that in a Puma has been fantastic. M-Sport has a real family feel and it will be sad to leave that behind. It has been a great experience for me to be part of the team, but it’s time to move on.”