Q&A with Craig Breen

New Saintéloc Peugeot Rally Academy signing looks ahead to the FIA European Rally Championship’s ice and snow spectacular in Latvia next week.

You were announced as part of the new Peugeot Rally Academy recently. Has it sunk in?

“It’s incredible. After all the bad times [losing my best friend and co-driver Gareth Roberts] it’s nice to experience some good times. I’m 22 years old, not long out of karting and now I’m a factory driver with Peugeot and I’m doing eight rounds of the ERC. To be honest I’m speechless.”

Why choose the European championship?

“The European championship is the perfect place to be and to be a factory driver with Peugeot is beyond my wildest dreams. I get to compete in a very strong series in a good car and with a good team I know well. This is a big step forward for me.”

You’re already being considered a title contender. What does that mean to you?

“I’m not thinking about that. Yes, it would mean a lot, but I still need to learn, I still need to improve by proving I can go flat out for a whole rally and not make mistakes. It’s something I’ve got to do in the ERC because the level will be very high and there will be some serious competition.”

It sounds like you’re in for a busy year?

“As well as the rallies I’m going to be testing and developing the Peugeot 208 Type R5, which is a great opportunity to make this car the best in the R5 class. By doing the rallies I’ll be able to show I’m still competitive.”

What difference will your new co-driver David Moynihan make?

“Paul [Nagle] has some commitments at work so David is coming with me. I actually did one of my first rallies with David. He’s a good guy who I’ve known for quite a long time.”