WRC teams pay tribute to Craig Breen in Croatia

Following the passing of Craig Breen (33) in an accident during testing, the factory teams will pay tribute to the Irishman in Rally Croatia.

One week after the accident that claimed the life of Craig Breen, Hyundai has communicated on the conditions leading to the death of Breen. As was becoming obvious from pictures from the scene of the accident, the fatal consequences resulted from sheer bad luck.

“Relatively slow speed”

Breen was testing with Hyundai on a closed off stretch of road in Croatia, prior to the WRC rally taking place. Hyundai Motorsport boss Cyril Abiteboul: “Road conditions were slippery and the car slid off the road at a relatively low speed and made contact with a wooden fence. A post from this fence intruded into the cabin through the driver’s side window. The stage was closed immediately and the on stage medical team was rapidly on the scene.”

“We must mention that (co-driver) James Fulton was unhurt in the crash and our hearts go out to him. We are doing everything we can to support James at this time. Craig was taken to hospital from the stage. As far as can be determined, Craig’s passing was instantaneous.”

Father to son

Breen’s funeral took place in his hometown of Waterford in Ireland on April 18th. Craig Breen was the son of Irish national rally champion Ray Breen. Craig Breen first started competing in go-karts, but was ‘flat-out in anything with wheels on’, according to family statements. The family connection led to rally eventually. In 2009, Craig Breen became the winner of the British, Irish and International Fiesta Sporting Trophy. For 2010, he moved to Super2000s.

First steps in rally

Breen’s rise through the ranks was meteoric. In 2011, the Irishman won the WRC Junior crown – back then called the WRC Academy – in a Ford Fiesta R2, following in the footsteps of Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier. For 2012, Breen moved to the SWRC (S2000 WRC), again with a Ford Fiesta. There were victories, but also disaster when at the Targa Florio rally in September an accident took the life of his friend and navigator Gareth ‘Jaffa’ Roberts. After much doubting, Breen opted to continue in rallying.

Craig Breen made his WRC debut in 2014 in Rally Finland in a Ford Fiesta WRC, finishing in ninth place. It took until 2016 for Breen to be given a six-rally WRC program, with the DS3 WRC. It was again in Finland, in only his third rally with the DS3 WRC, that he took his first podium with third place. In Sweden in 2017, now with the Citroën C3 WRC, Craig Breen went one better with second place. He was, however, dropped from Citroën’s WRC program at the end of the year.

Comeback kid

Breen showed exactly what he was made off, refusing to give up, he mounted a succesful campaign in the Irish national championship, and taking victories at Ypres and San Remo in the European championship. Hyundai brought Breen back to the WRC for Rally Finland and Rally of Great Britain in 2019. He could not get a full program, but made a strong impression in 2021 securing podium finishes in Estonia, Ypres and Finland.

The good results let to a dream contract with Ford and M-Sport for 2022. Craig Breen got his first full season in the Puma and got off to a great start, claiming third in the Monte Carlo season opener. Unfortunately, the rest of the season turned into a nightmare. Too many accidents meant M-Sport and Breen decided to part ways. Breen found a part-time seat with Hyundai for 2023, and started sensationally in Rally Sweden. The Irishman was leading for a big part of the rally, but was unable to stop a late comeback by Ott Tanäk in the Ford.

Honouring Craig Breen

Rally Sweden was the perfect rally for Breen, showing he could bounce back after a troublesome season. His last picture on Instagram was one of him with the biggest of grins, commenting; “When someone tells you we’re back in the Rally1 car again this week…’ It was clear there was plenty more to come from Craig Breen, not just one of the WRC’s quickest drivers, but also someone who loved the sport deeply.

For Rally Croatia, Hyundai decided to just enter two cars, leaving Craig Breen’s entry open. The Hyundais will run in an Irish-themed livery. Toyota, in a remarkable display of sportsmanship, has announced it will also drop its third entry for Rally Croatia. Both Ford and Toyota will carry references to Craig Breen on their cars.