Breen is happy that Rovanperä is opening up Sweden’s roads
The Irishman finished third on his debut for M-Sport Ford at the start of the season.
But he is fourth in the FIA World Rally Championship after Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Kalle Rovanperä finished behind Breen in the classification, but received a maximum of five bonus points to win the final Wolf Power Stage.
Since neither Monte-Carlo winner Sébastien Loeb nor runner-up Sébastien Ogier is competing in Umeå, the 21-year-old Finn will lead the field into the WRC’s winter event – and that’s exactly how Breen wanted it.
Video: Rallye Monte-Carlo review
“A result like the one we took from Monte was exactly what I was looking for,” said the Ford Puma pilot.
“Everything worked. We know that when we go to the snow, every car you can have in front of you will be an advantage. With none of Séb walking, Kalle is up there. [first on the road] will make the road a little better. ”
Breen knows what advantage the running order can give. After missing last year’s Monte, he was second for much of day one in last year’s Arctic Rally Finland before driving a Hyundai i20 to fourth at the finish line in Lapland.
“I have been in a position where I have benefited from missing the odd round and enjoying a better [start] place on the road, “added Breen,” but this year is different. This year I need all the points I can in the pursuit of the championship.
“Monte was really amazing. From the beginning, I knew the potential of this car and once the rally started, I felt that I grew into it for each stage. For every mile, I felt more confident and more comfortable.
“Now I just can not wait to get the thing on the snow – we did one [snow] test near Rovaniemi at the end of last year and the feeling was really good – and discover this new Rally Sweden in the north. ”