Since news of the death of Waterford rally driver, Craig Breen, broke on Thursday afternoon, thousands of messages of condolence and tributes have poured in from individuals and organisations all over the world.
Having started out as a co-driver in 2006 before earning the driver's seat in 2008, Craig quickly became Ireland's top rally driver.
His first World Rally Championship appearance came a year later, in 2009 at Rally Portugal, where he won his class and finished 25th overall.
The Formula 1 community is sending our thoughts and love to Craig Breen's family and friends https://t.co/vuI9Tgs0NY
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 13, 2023
In that same year he also won both the Irish and the UK Fiesta Sporting Trophies, was crowned Irish National Rally Champion, and became the youngest driver ever to win the Billy Coleman Award.
After that, the accolades just kept coming and in 2011 Breen won the World Rally Championship in dramatic fashion with the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team.
Despite the heartbreak of the death of his long-time friend and co-driver, Gareth Roberts, in 2012 Breen won the Super 2000 World Rally Championship.
It was in that same year that he was named the overall winner of the Park Hotel Waterford Supreme Sports Star Award. He also won a hugely impressive seven of their monthly awards.
The Slieverue native would have multiple podium finishes over the course of the next 10 years, racing with the likes of Citroen, Peugeot, and Hyundai.
Most recently, he clinched second place at Rally Sweden in February on his first event back with Hyundai.
Among those to pay tribute to the 33-year-old today were former world champion, Mads Østberg.
"Craig… you were such a passionate and great person," he said, "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!"
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Motorsport Ireland President, Aiden Harper, said: “The Irish motorsport community is numbed by this tragic news.
"Craig was a world class driver and a world class person.
"To Craig’s family, his parents Ray and Jackie, his sister Kellie, brother in law Darragh and nephew Bobbie, I wish to extend my deepest condolences and all our thoughts remain with Craig’s co-driver James Fulton.
"May they all find the strength and support they need at this unimaginably tragic time.”
Craig Breen 1990 - 2023
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anamhttps://t.co/vGTdrMFv0G pic.twitter.com/p5btsD8yx2
— Motorsport Ireland (@MotorsportIRL) April 13, 2023
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
