21-year-old Italian Matteo Doretto died in a test accident before the European Rally Championship race in Poland – co-driver Samuele Pellegrino is not in a life-threatening condition
Italian rallying is mourning the loss of Matteo Doretto: The country’s current junior champion was killed in a testing accident on Wednesday ahead of the European Rally Championship (ERC) race in Poland. The 21-year-old driver from Pordenone was traveling with his co-driver Samuele Pellegrino as part of preparations for the Rally Poland when his Peugeot 208 Rally4 veered off the track near Elganowo and crashed into a tree at high speed.
The local fire department in Olsztyn confirmed the tragic accident. Despite immediate resuscitation efforts by emergency services, the young Italian’s life could not be saved. His co-driver Pellegrino was able to leave the vehicle under his own power and was taken to hospital for observation. According to initial reports, he is in a stable condition.
Doretto was considered an up-and-coming talent in Italian rallying. In addition to his title in the Junior Championship, he was also competing in the Lancia Rally Trophy this season. His death casts a shadow over the fourth round of this year’s ERC, which will take place in Poland from June 13 to 15, 2025. The motorsport world has lost a promising young talent.
