Craig Breen added to private-run Citroen 2016 WRC line-up
Craig Breen will join Kris Meeke, Stephane Lefebvre and Khalid Al-Qassimi in the line-up for the PH Sport-run private Citroen programme in the 2016 World Rally Championship

Citroen announced earlier this week that Meeke was spurning a Toyota approach to stay on through to 2018, developing the car with which it will return to the WRC in earnest in '17 while also competing on a number of events next season in an entry run by its regular satellite squad PH.
It has now confirmed that this programme will run under the Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team banner and start on the Monte Carlo season-opener next month, where Meeke and Citroen protege Lefebvre will drive.
For the following round in Sweden, Lefebvre will step down and Meeke will be joined by long-time Citroen WRC driver Al-Qassimi and team newcomer Breen, who has been part of sister brand Peugeot's factory European Rally Championship programme for the past two years.
The quartet of drivers will rotate for the remainder of the 2016 programme.
Al-Qassimi, who brings the Abu Dhabi funding, said he was pleased with the mix of experience and youth in the line-up for the project.
"As lead driver, Kris Meeke will contest several rounds, whilst prioritising his development work with Citroen Racing," said Al-Qassimi.
"We will also be aiming to provide opportunities for talented young drivers from the PSA Peugeot Citroen group.
"Supported by the expertise of the team, they will be able to add to their experience and show what they can do."
The team statement said its entry would vary from one to three cars "depending on the event and the opportunities that arise" and that it would focus on "a selection of WRC rallies based in Europe".
Meeke said he was very satisfied with the rally programme agreed for 2016 and particularly that it began as soon as the Monte.
"Being able to contest a certain number of rallies in 2016 was important when deciding about my future," he said.
"I would therefore like to thank Abu Dhabi, Total and all the partners who have made it possible for us compete in very good conditions at these events.
"This programme will enable me to keep my hand in as regards racing and continue to learn about the WRC events.
"From that point of view, it seemed essential to compete at Monte Carlo.
"It is such an unpredictable rally, where experience counts more than anywhere else."
Breen won the WRC Academy title in 2011 and the WRC's Super 2000 class a year later.
He has only had limited World Rally Car experience so far, including two WRC outings in a private Ford in 2014.

WRC support series prize for winner of Junior BRC in 2016
Toyota 2017 WRC options limited beyond Kris Meeke

How Rovanpera overcame rallying royalty in Portugal to extend his WRC lead
Although the Rally Portugal entry list featured World Rally Championship royalty in Sebastiens Loeb and Ogier, victory was secured by rallying's rising star in Kalle Rovanpera. Here's the story of his 2022 hat-trick, as his key rivals faltered among the gravel and asphalt ahead of them
The former WRC star playing the unsung hero role for Rovanpera
Kalle Rovanpera’s 2022 World Rally Championship displays have been spectacular, with the Toyota driver benefitting from a secret weapon in his crew to win two of the opening three rallies. But while the former challenger to Sebastien Loeb won’t take credit for his fellow Finn's performances, a key bond has been formed which could prove key to Rovanpera’s title charge
How Rovanpera's Croatia turnaround sent a message to his WRC rivals
After a dominating Rally Croatia, a wrong tyre choice on the final day looked to have undone all Kalle Rovanpera's hard work and left him with a mountain to climb heading into the power stage. That he emerged the winner all the same has surely quelled any lingering doubts that the Finn is the man to beat in the 2022 WRC
How M-Sport's faith in Loubet led to a WRC reprieve after a dismal 2021
It's fair to say 2021 was a year to forget for Pierre-Louis Loubet. A maiden full World Rally Championship season offered hope but soon turned into a nightmare that ended in hospital, after being hit by a car in a road traffic accident. Now handed a lifeline by M-Sport, the Frenchman is desperate to rebuild his career
Why WRC mechanics deserve more respect
The drivers get the glare of attention, but it’s the mechanics who are key to the operation of any World Rally Championship car. Autosport donned a set of overalls and joined M-Sport on a Belgian national rally event to get an inside look into the trials and tribulations of a rally mechanic
The African McRae aiming to become a WRC pioneer
Taking his first step into the Junior World Rally Championship category, McRae Kimathi - named after 1995 world champion Colin - found himself in the unfamiliar climes of Sweden's snow and ice. Having impressed, Kimathi hopes to blaze a trail to the top level of WRC and help other African drivers to step onto the ladder
How Rovanpera grabbed the Rally Sweden spotlight after the Loeb vs Ogier show
After a blockbuster opening act to the new era of the World Rally Championship with the battle of the Sebastiens at Monte Carlo, Rally Sweden would be the first chance to assess the next superstar of rallying. While teething issues with the new hybrid power thwarted some of the cast, Kalle Rovanpera’s display gave him headline billing
The "painful" journey behind the WRC's generational tech innovation
As the company selected to provide the hybrid kits for the 2022 World Rally Championship, the pressure was on Compact Dynamics at the Monte Carlo season opener. Needing to treat all three manufacturers equally, it wasn't a straightforward process, but its first big test was a resounding success that bodes well for the future