The World Rally Championship returns to the winding asphalt of Croatia this week, but for the Hyundai Motorsport team, the event carries a weight that transcends the pursuit of podiums. In a poignant gesture of remembrance, the team has unveiled a Hyundai unveils Craig Breen tribute livery for WRC Croatia, transforming the i20 N Rally1 into a rolling memorial for the Irishman who was lost just over a year ago.
Craig Breen passed away in March 2023 during a pre-event test accident while preparing for the Croatia Rally. At the time, Breen was driving for the factory Hyundai squad and his death left a void not only in the cockpit of the i20 but within the tight-knit community of the World Rally Championship. While the team has consistently carried the “ForCraig” moniker on its cars since the tragedy, this weekend marks a shift toward a more visceral, visual tribute.
The special color scheme moves beyond a simple decal. The artwork features detailed portraits of Breen across the sides and the roof of the car, ensuring his presence is visible from every angle. Accompanying the imagery is a larger version of the longstanding “ForCraig” branding and a specific tribute line featuring Breen’s own iconic phrase, “flat to the square right,” a nod to the uncompromising speed and precision he brought to the stages.
A Legacy Beyond the Stage
For those who covered the sport during Breen’s tenure, he was known as much for his wit and camaraderie as for his raw pace. In the high-pressure environment of a factory team, Breen was often the glue that held the atmosphere together. This human element is what Hyundai is seeking to highlight with the new livery.
Cyril Abiteboul, Hyundai Motorsport president and team principal, emphasized that the tribute is about the man, not just the athlete. “The sentiment is still the same within the team: we want to continue to remember Craig Breen not only for the driver he was on the stages, but as well the man he was off them,” Abiteboul said. He described Breen as the “epitome of what rallying is in every element of his life,” citing his passion for the sport and his dedication to those coming up behind him.
That dedication has been formalized through the Craig Breen Foundation, a charity established in 2023 to nurture the next generation of Irish rallying talent. The foundation is not merely a symbolic entity. it provides tangible, multi-year support for the Irish J1000 Forestry Series, offering a prize fund and elite coaching to young drivers. The tribute livery prominently features the foundation, linking Breen’s memory to the future of the sport in his native Ireland.
Navigating a New Croatian Challenge
While the emotional weight of the weekend is significant, the sporting challenge remains steep. Hyundai enters the Croatian round with a glimmer of momentum, having recently disrupted Toyota’s dominance. At the Hyundai Motorsport‘s recent outings, the team saw a breakthrough when Adrien Fourmaux secured a second-place finish at the Safari Rally Kenya, ending a streak of total podium lockouts by Toyota.
The transition to the Croatian asphalt will require a total reset in strategy. This year’s event is not a mere repetition of previous iterations. The rally has shifted its base from Zagreb to the coastal city of Rijeka, and the route has been substantially overhauled. Only three stages from the 2024 visit have been retained, meaning the crews are facing a nearly entirely new set of road notes and technical challenges.
The Impact of the Tribute
In a sport where sponsors and corporate branding usually dictate every square inch of a car’s exterior, the decision to dedicate the roof and sides to a fallen teammate is a rare move. It serves as a reminder of the inherent risks of the discipline and the profound bonds formed between drivers and their support crews.
The “ForCraig” movement has become a rallying point for the paddock, symbolizing a collective resilience. By integrating the Craig Breen Foundation into the livery, Hyundai is ensuring that the conversation around Breen’s passing evolves into a conversation about opportunity and growth for young drivers in Ireland.
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Livery Features | Portraits on sides/roof, “ForCraig” decal, “flat to the square right” quote |
| Primary Cause | Tribute to the late Craig Breen (passed March 2023) |
| Philanthropic Link | Craig Breen Foundation (est. 2023) |
| Foundation Focus | Irish J1000 Forestry Series support and elite coaching |
As the cars line up in Rijeka, the focus will inevitably shift to lap times and stage wins. But, the presence of Breen’s image on the i20 N Rally1 ensures that the spirit of the man who lived for the “flat” remains a central part of the event. This proves a reminder that in the world of rallying, the most enduring marks are often the ones left off the stopwatch.
The team now moves into the competitive phases of the Croatia Rally, where they will look to build on their recent podium success. Following the conclusion of the Croatian round, the WRC will continue its global calendar, with the team focusing on refining the i20’s performance across varying surfaces.
We invite readers to share their memories of Craig Breen or their thoughts on the team’s tribute in the comments below.
