Hyundai World Rally Championship (WRC) driver Craig Breen has passed away following an accident during a private pre-event test for Rally Croatia. Breen reportedly went off the road during the test and his i20 N Rally1 car collided with a pole. Hyundai has now confirmed that he succumbed to injuries. Breen’s co-driver James Fulton was unharmed in the incident.

• Co-driver James Fulton was unharmed
• Breen was preparing for his second WRC outing this season

In 2023, following a one-year stint with M-Sport Ford, Breen returned to Hyundai – the team with whom he had previously competed from 2019 to 2021. The 33-year-old Irishman was signed on to rotate driving duties with Dani Sordo. His first outing of the year was at Rally Sweden, where he finished second, and Rally Croatia was set to be his second outing this season.

In a statement, Hyundai said: “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.”

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem reacted to the news as well, saying, “On behalf of the FIA, I wish to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Craig Breen following his passing during a private testing accident in Croatia. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones and the entire Rally community at this difficult time.”