The Irish driver of the M-Sport team is a stable presence in the upper floors: “I have clear ideas on how to improve my Ford. In Italy there is a part of my heart. The Wrc must increase the number of participants “
Federico Mariani
June 15 – milan
Dreaming of landing at the WRC World Championship, observing, sometimes closely, that Sebastien Loeb, who for nine years was its king. Craig Breen has built his rise thanks to an exceptional concreteness. A strength that in 2022 is giving wings to the Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 of the M-Sport team. And to think that the 32-year-old Irishman is in his first full season in the league. But Breen doesn’t stop looking forward with confidence, as he told our microphones.
Craig, the WRC has officially started a new era by switching to hybrid engines. What is your point of view on this turning point?
“It was something that needed to be done. The world is changing and the hybrid is now a reality. I liked the way this evolution happened. In addition, the new cars are even more powerful. Suffice it to say that the engine, when it is at full speed under normal conditions, has 500 Hp. Previously, it reached 350 hp. In short, a nice change also in terms of performance “.
At the time of Citroen you took turns driving one of the C3s with Sebastien Loeb, who you later found on a few occasions in 2022. What have you learned from such a legend?
“Sebastien is a natural talent in motorsport. It is also difficult for him to explain why he is able to be so fast. Seb appears to have come to Earth solely to do one thing: drive a car. For this reason it is difficult to draw any lessons. However, I learned from him to have more confidence in myself, to focus on what I do. I understood the importance of driving relaxed and without any distraction. The mind must always be on the road ”.
You have competed in Italy for several years. Is there a race you are particularly fond of?
“I would say the Targa Florio. Unfortunately in that race, just 10 years ago, I had an accident near Cefalù in which my navigator died. A part of my heart remained there. Also now I have an Italian partner. I don’t live in Italy, but when I compete here, I feel at home. I also hope to further improve my Italian (smiles ed.) “.
After so many years of rallying, is there one aspect that you think you need to refine further?
“I don’t think I have reached the utmost confidence yet. It is difficult because, when a dream you had as a boy comes true, it never seems real. I have to understand that this is really my place. I think that when I have the right awareness I will be able to take another step forward. Also because the level of the World Cup is really high. Also for the past four years I have focused on specific races. At the moment I think I can improve on slow routes, like Sardinia or Portugal, which I haven’t tackled in recent seasons, focusing mainly on fast tracks. There will be complicated races, but second place in Sardinia is a good result in perspective ”.
And where can the new Ford Puma grow further?
“I would say that something is missing to have more feeling in those stages with so many sectors on gravel. We did some tests in Spain last year. They are tracks that require more technique and are slower than in Finland and Estonia. I think we will do some more tests, but we already have clear ideas on where and how to intervene ”.
Last question: is there something that does not convince you or should it be reviewed in the WRC World Championship?
“There aren’t enough cars. If there were 15 or 20 cars like in F1 it would be great. Currently, there are too few of them capable of aiming high. If our sport were at the same level as F1, it would be a much more popular championship. Obviously this is just my point of view ”.
June 15, 2022 – 12:05
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