THE ambition to succeed in the new World Rally Championship Academy series has prompted young Irish rally star, Craig Breen, to alter his plans for the forthcoming season.

BP Ford team leader Mikko Hirvonen admits he needs to learn how to control the World Rally Championship from the front if he is to take the title fight to reigning champion Sebastien Loeb.

Defending world rally champion Sebastien Loeb opened up a lead of more than a minute at Rally Mexico today and is four stages away from recording a second win of the season.