Craig Breen, a Hyundai World Rally Championship (WRC) driver, died in an accident during a private pre-event test for Rally Croatia. During the test, Breen’s i20 N Rally1 car reportedly drove off the road and collided with a pole. Now verified by Hyundai, he succumbed to his injuries. James Fulton, Breen’s co-driver, was uninjured in the accident.
The 33-year-old Irish driver died after an accident in a private test before Rally Croatia next week.
After a year with M-Sport Ford in 2023, Breen rejoined Hyundai, the team with which he had previously competed from 2019 to 2021. The 33-year-old Irishman was hired to alternate with Dani Sordo in driving duties. Rally Sweden was his first competition of the year, where he finished second, and Rally Croatia was to be his second competition of the year.
James Fulton, the other driver, was not hurt.
Hyundai issued the following statement: “Hyundai Motorsport is profoundly devastated to confirm that driver Craig Breen passed away today following an accident during the Croatia Rally pre-event test. Co-driver James Fulton was not injured in the incident that occurred shortly after noon. Hyundai Motorsport extends its condolences to Craig’s family, friends, and numerous admirers.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem also responded to the news, stating, “On behalf of the FIA, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Craig Breen, who passed away in Croatia during a private testing accident. In this difficult moment, our thoughts and condolences are with his family and the entire Rally community.”