Paul Nagle who has been serving as a co-driver for the Irishman Craig Breen in the FIA World Rally Championship this past decade has now announced he will be retiring from his duty after the upcoming RallyRACC – Rally de España this month.
The 44-year-old Irishman who is one of the most successful co-drivers of all time did celebrate his 100th WRC start at EKO Acropolis Rally Greece last month and now he has announced on social media this morning that he is retiring after his 102nd start in Spain – the same event where he made his top-level debut back in 2004 for the fellow Irishman Donie O’Sullivan.
In a statement issued by Nagle it says: “It’s has been one hell of a rollercoaster and the memories and friends I made will last a life time. Big thank you to everyone who followed us around the world over the last 20 years. To my family and friends and especially my wife Cathy, thank you for being there for all of it, in the good days and bad. Ye [sic] always had my back. To Craig [Breen] and Kris [Meeke], thank you both for making the dream happen. We have made amazing memories.”
It was alongside Kris Meeke he had the most starts and more success in his career, he teamed up with the Britoin back in 2011 for a part-time program in the Mini WRC Team. They then moved to Citroën Total Abu Dhabi WRT in 2014 where they contested five seasons together claiming five victories and eight podiums.
In 2019, Nagle teamed up with Breen and the duo claimed four podiums during the three seasons part-time program with Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT before a move to M-Sport Ford WRT this season adding another two podiums. Breen is expected to announce his new co-driver for Japan in a couple of days.
