TopGear South Africa

Ford dropped the news that Craig Breen and Navigator Paul Nagel will lead the charge for the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team as the series modernises itself in the electric age with the rule changes in WRC moving to Hybrid powerplants. Late to the party, some may say, but better late than never.‍

The multi-year deal sees Breen and Nagel at the helm of the M-Sport Ford Puma Hybrid Rally1 car. Breen’s history has been plagued by partial involvement at the highest level in rallying for the past few years but never quite settled in for a full season with one team. That is until now. An exciting development if ever as his results have been encouraging during the times he did participate.

More on the car. Next year will see all-new technical regulations, with the WRC moving to a new and exciting era of competition. Space frame chassis coupled with 100 kW Hybrid Motors delivering additional bursts of power throughout the special stages and 100% sustainable fuel moves the sport into a more environmentally-conscious direction.

Breen’s full-time career as an M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 driver will start in October with a multi-surface test in Spain, and with just over 100 days before the team lines up for the start of the iconic Monte-Carlo Rally, the team cannot wait to start this new chapter and bring success to him, the team and his global fan base.‍

Words: Brent Van Der Schyff