Figures from throughout the rallying and wider motorsport communities have led an outpouring of tributes to Craig Breen following his tragic death in a pre-Croatia Rally testing accident.
Fellow WRC drivers, former team-mates and those from other branches of motorsport have all been sending their condolences to the much loved driver’s family and friends.
Ott Tänak
I can’t believe I’m writing this now. Life can be so fragile and unfair… I can’t believe we’ve lost you mate! We’ve just been texting and another moment you’re not answering anymore, I’ll miss you buddy so bad. So so bad…
My deepest condolences to Craig’s family, friends and all WRC family.
There are no words, everything is just broken
Sébastien Ogier
I’m lost for words… Everyone loved Craig for his great Irish character and his enthusiasm for our sport. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this very sad time. RIP Craig, we will miss you.
Sébastien Loeb
Life and this sport can be cruel sometimes… It is the case today for your loved ones and for the family of WRC and motorsport. Rest in peace Craig.
Kalle Rovanperä
Rest in peace Craig. My thoughts are tonight with your family and friends.
Esapekka Lappi
Rest in peace Craig. I always remember your smile, friendliness and passion. My thoughts and condolences are with everyone going through difficult times right now.
Thierry Neuville
It’s with a very heavy heart that I post this message. Today I’ve lost a team-mate but more than anything, I’ve lost a friend.
Craig, your passion for rallying was immeasurable, your joy behind the steering wheel was beyond any of ours, your emotional stage-end comments in a league of its own…
You were the first to bring the English tea to Hyundai Motorsport, you made our debriefs last three hours or more, we had endless conversations about our private rally cars…
All this will stay deep in my memories.
I will miss you! Rest easy my friend.
Dani Sordo
Rest in peace Craig, my friend! You are loved so much and you know it! Much encouragement to family and friends.
Elfyn Evans
So very hard to believe the sad news today. Craig’s passion, enthusiasm and love for the sport was unmatched and he will be sorely missed by many people.
Thoughts are with Craig’s family and friends
Hayden Paddon
Can’t believe it! This just isn’t right – you were a legend of a human being and driver. The sport is poorer without you. RIP Craig and my wishes are with all your family at this devastating time.
Takamoto Katsuta
Craig… I cannot believe today’s such sad news… Rest in peace Craig my friend. My thoughts are with your family and friends
Pierre-Louis Loubet
I don’t believe it… Craig, besides being a great driver, was a deeply good person and loved by all. All my thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Goodbye my friend.
Gus Greensmith
Never did I think I’d be saying goodbye to you my friend. Thank you for every kind word, thank you for every piece of advice, & thank you for being my friend.
I’ll miss you Craig.
Mads Østberg
Craig… you were such a passionate and great person, and had so much fun. But today I got the saddest news I could possibly get! RIP Craig Breen. All my thoughts to his lovely family!
Kris Meeke
Life just doesn’t care. Sometimes there’s no rhyme or reason. Just emptiness.
Craig, this morning you woke up the happiest man alive.. living your dream. My lasting memory of you won’t be as a top class rally driver, but as the guy who took time with my kids and made them laugh more than I could. You were a larger than life character and battled your way to the top with pure passion.
Can’t believe it.
Keep ‘er lit up there… You will be solely missed.
Mikko Hirvonen
I don’t know anyone who loved driving more than you did, how much you enjoyed every minute of it! It feels so unfair that this happened to you, but I know you will be going flat out up there. My heart is with your family and friends tonight. Rest in peace Craig, we will meet again.
Matthew Wilson
I genuinely can’t believe you are gone. Your enthusiasm for our beloved sport of rallying was infectious. Nobody loved driving more than you did. RIP Craig!
M-Sport
All of us in the Ford and M-Sport family are greatly saddened to hear of the tragic passing of our friend and colleague Craig Breen. Craig was part of the Ford family for many years, most recently as a driver of the WRC Puma.
He was embedded in the world of rally at every level of the sport we all love, and we send our heartfelt condolences to all his friends and family.
Toyota
We are shocked and saddened by the loss of Craig Breen. We would like to offer our deepest condolences to his family and to all at Hyundai Motorsport, on behalf of everybody at Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team.
Citroën Racing
We have lost a member of the Citroën Racing Family. Rest In Peace Craig Breen. Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, fans and the Hyundai Motorsport Team.
Peugeot Sport
It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Craig Breen. The whole Peugeot Sport family would like to share our deepest condolences with his family, friends, fans and the Hyundai Motorsport team.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem
On behalf of the FIA, I extend sincere condolences to the family & friends of Craig Breen following his passing during a private testing accident. Our thoughts & prayers are with his loved ones and the rally community at this difficult time.
Colin Clark
This is too much to take in, I’m devastated. My thoughts and prayers are very much with Ray, Jackie and Kellie at this heartbreakingly difficult time.
Emil Lindholm
Can’t believe this. Absolutely devastating news. A true icon and the passion he had for our sport was on another level.
My thoughts are with Craig’s family and friends. Rest in peace.
Andrea Adamo
Give you a last hug. Strong. Ciao Craig. Now I am the one crying.
Tom Williams
The man that brought passion, fire and emotion to rally. He kept you on the edge of your seat with no nails left. This has been a very sad year for the sport. Deepest thoughts and condolences to all family, friends and colleagues.
World Rally Championship
The WRC family is shocked and saddened to learn of Craig Breen’s passing. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends of Craig at this incredibly sad time.
Gerard Quinn
All I can think about right now is this smile. Fun times, laughter, tears and now you’re reuniting with Jaffa. You have left us all feeling empty lad. RIP Craig Breen.
Tiff Needell
No, no, no. This is just awful. One of the nicest drivers across the whole world of motorsport, who always spoke of how lucky he was to be able to perform in a sport he so loved has been lost. RIP Craig.
Heikki Kovalainen
Such sad news, RIP Craig. Thoughts with his family and friends.
Valterri Bottas
Shocking news. RIP Craig Breen.
Alex Albon
Such a sad day. Rest in peace Craig, you were an extremely talented driver and an even better person.
