Craig Breen comes in from the cold and will join Thierry Neuville and Andreas Mikkelsen in the Hyundai Motorsport Team for the Neste Rally Finland.

Breen, who lost his seat at Citroën Racing at the end of last year, has been working hard to find a way back into the sport’s top flight since. He will be joined by his long-time friend and co-driver Paul Nagle in the Hyundai for the event.

Breen, who leads the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship said: “I am chuffed to be given this chance to join Hyundai Motorsport for Rally Finland, and to get back in a world rally car.

“It’s been a long and patient wait, having to watch everyone else drive this year. I am honoured to have this one-off opportunity with Paul [Nagle] as my co-driver.”

The 29-year-old has started Neste Rally Finland nine times and drove a DS 3 WRC to third place on the 2016 event.

“Finland,” said Breen, “is the rally I’ve done most in the WRC so I hope I can bring something to the team. I am getting plenty of seat time before Finland.

“It will remain a challenge but one I am ready to grasp with both hands. I’ll be competing with the #42, a number I’ve raced with since my first year in karting in 1998, and that has always been very lucky. Let’s hope it remains that way!”

Ahead of the event, Breen will participate in Hyundai’s pre-event test and at Rally Estonia, where he competes alongside team-mate Mikkelsen.

Hyundai Motorsport team director Andrea Adamo said: “Rally Finland is a very particular type of event that warrants an approach like no other on the calendar. It’s a huge challenge for teams and crews alike.

“With the championship battle entering a critical phase, and competition being so close among the manufacturers, we have brought Craig Breen into our line-up for Finland.

“He has demonstrated his class at this event in the past and has a lot of experience, which will be invaluable to us. We are making sure he has enough preparation with Rally Estonia, an event similar in style to Finland, and the pre-event test. We welcome Craig and Paul to Hyundai Motorsport for this rally and look forward to seeing what they can do.”