James Fulton will return to the World Rally Championship on next week’s Rally Portugal, co-driving for Kris Meeke.
Meeke has taken over the Hyundai Portugal drive in this year’s Portuguese championship that the late Craig Breen and Fulton had committed to alongside their Hyundai Motorsport program in the WRC.
Meeke, a close friend and former team-mate of Breen’s, made a winning start on last weekend’s Rali d’Aboboreira with Ola Fløene calling the notes, but will be joined by Fulton for the rest of the season as the pair aim to lift the title in tribute to the Breen.
“It was a very difficult time, but I now feel ready to come back,” said Fulton.
“It wasn’t an easy decision, but after talking to my family and Craig’s family, we felt this was what Craig would want.
“I started this challenge with him and I feel the best way to honor him is to finish what we started together.”
Sérgio Ribeiro, CEO of Hyundai Portugal, added: “James’ return is something we wanted and we are naturally delighted to welcome him back to the team.
“The memory of Craig and the passion he had for rallying remains with us and we continue to remember it.”
Meeke and Fulton will compete in WRC2 next week in what will be Meeke’s first WRC start since he drove for Toyota in 2019.
