World Rally Championship Driver Craig Breen Dies After Awful Crash

Irish rally driver Craig Breen has tragically passed away.

Irish rally driver Craig Breen has tragically passed away at just 33 years old following an accident during a pre-event test for the Croatia Rally. 

Breen's team Hyundai Motorsport has released a statement confirming the Irishman's passing. The team also confirmed that Breen's co-driver James Fulton, who has been his co-driver since 2022, luckily survived the horrific accident. 

Breen and Fulton had been preparing for the Croatia Rally which is the fourth round of the World Rally Championship. It has been reported that the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 car collided with a pole, leaving Breen with fatal injuries. 

The Irishman started his racing career in karting before taking on rallying when he was just 19 years old in 2009. He joined the WRC Academy in 2011 after going up the ranks in WRC2. He participated in 81 rallies throughout his career with eight podium finishes.

No further details have been released at this moment. The statement from the Hyundai Motorsport team reads:

“Hyundai Motorsport is deeply saddened to confirm that driver Craig Breen today lost his life following an accident during the pre-event test for Croatia Rally.

“Co-driver James Fulton was unharmed in the incident that occurred just after midday local time.

“Hyundai Motorsport sends its sincerest condolences to Craig’s family, friends and his many fans.

“Hyundai Motorsport will make no further comment at this time.”

The World Rally Championship shared the teams statement, writing that they were "shocked and saddened". They wrote:

"The WRC family is shocked and saddened to learn of Craig Breen's passing. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of Craig at this incredibly sad time."

The WRC family is shocked and saddened to learn of Craig Breen's passing. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of Craig at this incredibly sad time https://t.co/xdN9qkxlXw

— FIA World Rally Championship (@OfficialWRC) April 13, 2023

Our thoughts go out to Breen's family and friends during this awful time.