Italian rally driver, 21, dies during race practice in Poland

 ROME - Italian rally driver Matteo Doretto, 21-years-old, died during the practice for the 81st edition of the Orlen Rally in Poland after the race car went off a road and hit a tree, according to Polish organisers.

 The accident occurred between Elganów and Pasym, before the start of the event. The accident involved the Peugeot 208 Rally4 of Matteo Doretto and Samuele Pellegrino, the second driver who was injured but ultimately survived. Doretto was the reigning Italian junior champion and since 2023 he had been part of ACI Italian Team. Paramedics had attempted to resuscitate him after he was released from being trapped in the car but it was already too late.

 The governor of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Massimiliano Fedriga, released a statement following his death saying, “the tragic news of the death of Matteo Doretto, a young motorsports talent from Pordenone, saddens us deeply. On behalf of the entire regional community, I express my most sincere condolences and closeness to his family, friends and the entire sports community that was close to him. A young man who had a promising career ahead of him and who was able to distinguish himself through passion, commitment and determination has left us. In the face of such a tragedy - the governor concluded - the entire Region is moved by those who loved him".

og