Irish World Rally Championship driver Craig Breen has passed away at the age of 33
Craig Breen of the Hyundai Motorsport Rally Championship team has died after an accident at a pre-event test ahead of this weekend’s Croatia Rally. Breen had rejoined Hyundai on a part-time basis for the new World Rally Championship season 2023 after a successful year-long stint with the M-Sport Ford World Rally team.
This comes across as a very unfortunate piece of news for the whole motorsports community especially at a time when all efforts are being made to prioritise driver safety.
The news of Breen’s death was officially confirmed by his team Hyundai Motorsport earlier today. “Hyundai Motorsport sends its sincerest condolences to Craig’s family, friends and his many fans”, the team stated.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem also conveyed his condolences: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and the Rally community at this difficult time.” Breen was an exceptional racing driver and one of the nicest men in the sport, so this is certainly a huge loss for the whole racing fraternity.
Craig Breen was associated the World Rally Championship for more than a decade
Craig Breen was a veteran driver in the professional racing circuit and represented multiple teams in the World Rally Championship such as Peugeot Sport, Citroen, Hyundai, M-Sport Ford besides his current team Hyundai. Breen will be remembered for winning the 2021 Rentokil Historic Rally in his home country of Ireland.
The Irish driver also registered other famous wins including the 2012 Super 2000 WRC and the WRC Academy Cup in 2011 among others. The 2023 Rally Championship race in Sweden will remain the last race of his career forever.
Breen was a superb racer and finished on the podium in the majority of the races he participated in. In his illustrious professional career spanning more than a decade, Breen registered 30 stage wins besides recording 9 podium finishes. He was also an Irish Tarmac Rally Champion – a prestigious title and he certainly leaves behind a legacy of his own.
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