The motoring world was shocked to learn the news of rally driver Craig Breen’s death on Thursday. The Irish driver was preparing for the test event ahead of the World Championship race in Croatia.
Breen was riding with his co-driver James Fulton in the event, however Fulton escaped serious injury from the crash. Police are conducting a full investigation into the incident, which has been blamed on Craig Breen’s Hyundai skidding off the track.
Hyundai Motorsport in its statement expressed its sorrow over the incident and gave its condolences.
“Hyundai Motorsport is deeply saddened to confirm that driver Craig Breen lost his life today following an accident during pre-event testing for Rally Croatia. Co-pilot James Fulton was uninjured in the incident that occurred just after noon local time. Hyundai Motorsport sends its sincerest condolences to Craig’s family, friends and many fans. Hyundai Motorsport will have no further comment at this time.”
“I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Craig Breen” – FIA President Muhammed Ben Sulayem
FIA President Muhammed Ben Sulayem also expressed his sadness over the incident and expressed his condolences to Craig Breen’s family and friends.
He said:
“On behalf of the FIA, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Craig Breen following his death during a private test accident in Croatia. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and the entire Rally community at this difficult time.”
Aiden Harper, Chairman of Irish Motorsport, mentioned that Breen was a “world class” driver and human being, adding:
“The Irish motoring community is numbed by this tragic news. Craig was a world-class driver and a world-class person.”
The Irish driver had an intermittent WRC career that never reached the pinnacle he had hoped for due to a lack of consistent opportunities. He made 82 championship starts but struggled to find full-time seats when he reached the top level.
Breen secured two podium finishes last season, driving the M-Sport Ford in a full-time role, but moved to Hyundai for the 2023 season for a part-time role. In all, he has scored six podium finishes in his career, the most recent in Sweden this year for Hyundai.
According to The Race, in the early stages of his career, Breen won the prestigious WRC Academy and SWRC championships, as well as finishing second in the 2015 European Rally Championship in a Peugeot.