Takamoto Katsuta’s World Rally Championship co-driver Aaron Johnston says it was “quite special” for an Irishman to win in Croatia on the third anniversary of Craig Breen’s passing.
Former Citroen and Hyundai factory WRC driver Breen is always in the minds of the WRC service park when the championship heads to Croatia, as the much-loved Irishman lost his life in a testing crash preparing for the 2023 edition.
With the WRC returning to Croatia after a season away this year, Hyundai paid tribute to its former driver with a special livery adorning its cars, featuring Breen’s smiling face and his “flat to the square right” catchphrase. This was in addition to the “For Craig” moniker that has featured on its cars at every event since Breen’s death.
Hyundai came the closest it’s ever been to what would have been an emotional win in Croatia last weekend after Thierry Neuville’s final stage blunder. But in the absence of a Hyundai win, it was equally fitting for an Irishman to stand on the top step of the podium, a day before the anniversary of Breen’s passing.
“Again, it’s a place that has been difficult for everyone in Ireland in the past with Craig’s passing. I think with Hyundai running the special livery this weekend and also for an Irishman to win the rally is quite special,” said Johnston.
“Of course, it is on your mind every time you get in the car but especially here when we come back after a year’s break.”
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photo by: Hyundai Motorsport
Reflecting on a second consecutive WRC victory, Johnston sympathised with rivals Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe after the pair lost a likely win.
“First of all, sorry for Thierry, Martijn and Hyundai. We had a puncture yesterday [Saturday] when we were in the fight for the lead with them. It has been a bit of a crazy rally, crazy day, I mean every day was crazy. To come home P1 again, two in a row is pretty surreal.
“I think they say: ‘you wait all day for a bus and then two come at once’.
“It was a good weekend, and it has been a strong start to the season and for Toyota so we keep looking forward.”
After quite a sensational start to the season, Johnston and Katsuta now lead the WRC standings for the first time with a seven-point advantage over Toyota team-mates Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin.
“We are championship leaders, but we are only four rounds in, and there is still a lot of driving and corners to do. But it has been a very promising start, and we will build on that in the upcoming rallies,” he added.
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– The Autosport.com Team
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