When
friendships
collide
in the WRC

Fisher, one of the leading lights of the FIA WRC Academy, is stepping up to the SWRC for the season-closer in Catalunya when he will partner Breen’s title rival P-G Andersson in the factory PROTON squad.

Because Fisher will be eligible for SWRC points, it’s conceivable that he could affect Breen’s title push, particularly if he is called on by PROTON to support Andersson’s bid to win the WRC’s fastest support category.

“Craig and I are good friends and we spoke about this a couple of weeks ago although we were more joking about it,” said Fisher. “I obviously want to do the best I can but hopefully it won’t come down to affecting the title battle.”

Fisher has made one appearance in the SWRC this season - as a wildcard entry in a Ford Fiesta S2000 on Wales Rally GB - and was closing on the lead when an accident put him out. He eventually finished fifth.

“It’s great that a team and a manufacturer like PROTON has put its trust in me and has seen what I’m capable of with my stage times,” said the 24-year-old from Northern Ireland. “It’s a big task to be jumping in at the deep end and I’ve obviously got to get use to the PROTON, and get the best out of it in a short space of time. But I’m not worried about it.”