Irish rally driver Craig Breen has died following an accident during a practice session. The terrible news fell this Thursday, April 13 at midday through a press release from his Hyundai Motorsport team.
The rally world is in shock a few days before the Croatian rally, the third round of the 2023 WRC world championship. The Hyundai Motorsport team announced this Thursday, April 13, 2023 at midday the death of its driver Craig Breen. The 33-year-old Irishman died following an accident on Thursday in Croatia where he was carrying out final tests before the rally. The round is due to start on April 20, after two first rounds in Monte-Carlo and Finland.
The Hyundai team made the news official through a press release posted on its Twitter account. “Hyundai Motorsport is deeply saddened to confirm that driver Craig Breen lost his life today following an accident during pre-trial practice for Rally Croatia. Co-driver James Fulton emerged unharmed from the incident which s occurred shortly after noon local time. Hyundai Motorsport sends its deepest condolences to Craig’s family, friends and many fans.”
Craig Breen had experienced a drama during his rally debut
Official Hyundai driver this season when he had a part-time program, Craig Breen had previously driven for Citroën and Ford and took 2nd place in the last Rally Finland. His career, difficult and ups and downs with in particular an ousting from Citroën at the end of 2018, had been marked by a tragedy in 2012 during a rally in Italy counting for the IRC championship. An accident had caused the tragic death of his co-pilot Gareth Roberts.
In 2021, back on the scene for the Sicily Targa Florio rally, he expressed his emotion after taking 2nd place in the event. “Thank you to all the fans who wrote to me and sent so many hundreds and hundreds of messages over the week. Thank you to my family and friends who helped me through one of the most emotional weeks of my life.”