2023-04-19 20:01:02
The South Korean manufacturer Hyundai, entered this season in the WRC World Championship, clarified on Wednesday the circumstances of the death of its Irish driver Craig Breen last week during tests in Croatia, sweeping away the thesis of a mechanical problem. “As far as can be seen, no part of the car, tires or safety equipment is at faultsaid team boss Cyril Abiteboul. “The road conditions were slippery, the car slid down the road at relatively low speed and came into contact with a wooden fence. A post of this fence penetrated the passenger compartment through the driver’s side window“, also explained the French, quoted in a press release.
Breen, 33, was killed last Thursday in an accident while testing on Croatian roads ahead of the contested rally this weekend. His co-driver and compatriot James Fulton escaped unscathed. According to preliminary information, the pilot died instantly, said Abiteboul. The Irishman was engaged in a partial program this season, sharing the wheel with Spaniard Dani Sordo. In Croatia, he was preparing for his second rally of the year in the premier class, after that in Sweden in February, which he finished in second position.
Earlier this week, Hyundai announced that it would take part in Friday-Sunday’s Rally Croatia, the fourth round of the season, but will only enter two cars – those of Belgian Thierry Neuville, second overall, and Finland’s Esapekka. Lappi- which will ride in the colors of the Irish flag. The third, the one Breen was to drive, will be retired for the event. In “sign of solidarity» and fair play, the Toyota team announced on Wednesday that only two of its crews (out of four entered in Croatia) would be eligible this weekend to score points in the constructors’ championship. They are eight-time world rally champion Sébastien Ogier and reigning Finnish champion Kalle Rovanpëra.
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