In a fortnight’s time, Nagle will bring theဣ curtain down on a career that has spanned 18 years during which time he has earned five top-flight victories and 18 podium results.

The Irish pair first joined forces in 2012 following the death of Breen’s then team-mate Gareth ‘Jaffa’ Roberts in a fatal acciden💃t. That same year, they clinched the SWR💮C title and subsequently progressed to the European Rally Championship before Nagle spilt to join forces with Meeke. 

The 44-year-old resumed calling notes for Breen back in 2019 after parting ways with Kris ꦿMeeke the previous season when their contract with Citroen Racing was diss🎃olved following an accident on Rally de Portugal. 

Rally Spain will be Nagle’s 102nd and last start as a World Rally Championship navigator and has labelled his involvement as “one hell of a rollercoastღer”, adding: “To Craig and Kris, thank 🃏you both for making the dream happen. We have made amazing memories.” 

Talk of stepping away started following June's Rally Italia Sardegna where Breen and Nagle equalled their career-best result together of second overall – but Breen said he is still trying toཧ process the news even though he fully backs the decision. 

“Most of you will have se♎en the other day that Paul has deci🔜ded to call time on his career in the WRC after Rally Spain this year,” M-Sport Ford driver Breen wrote on social media. 

“I have to say, even though it’s been something I’ve known for a while now, it still feᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚels strange thinking this next event will be our last together at this level.

“Paul and I have worked on and off now for 10 years. He 💖was the one that took on one of the most difficult tasks in getting me back on my feet after losing Jaffa, a role that went above and beyond his call of d🦩uty.

“We went on our separate ways for a few years before joiniꦅng back up in 2019 in Eyre Square in Galway, ri💦ght back near the bottom ring of the ladder,” he continued. 

“The last couple of years have been a🎐mazing: six podiums in the WRC until now, the Irish Tarmac Championship, two Sanremo Rally victories, a win in Ypres plus many more.

“But above all on a sporting side, Paul has been like a brother to me throughout. We’ve ♐shar💛ed so many highs and lows, both inside and outside the car, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it.” 

Breen - who 🧸is currently sitting sixth overall in the World Rally Championship drivers’ standings - is expected to announce Nagle’s replacement in the ℱcoming days.