Motorsport world in mourning as 21-year-old driver Matteo Doretto dies after crashing into tree
The motorsport community is in mourning after a promising young driver tragically died, aged just 21.
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The motorsport world has been rocked to its core with news of 21-year-old driver Matteo Doretto’s death after his rally car crashed into a tree in Poland.
The Italian was conducting a private testing session for the upcoming Rally Poland “when he lost his life in an accident,” according to the European Rally Championship (ERC).
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It is understood Doretto, driving a Peugeot 208 Rally4, veered off track and slammed into a tree.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, but he could not be saved.
His co-driver, Samuele Pellegrino, was also involved in the crash but miraculously survived with only minor injuries.
A spokesman for the Olsztyn City Fire Department said the impact was so violent that it took a long time to extract Doretto’s body from the wreckage.
The 21-year-old Doretto was the Italian junior champion last year and was in his first season in the ERC, where he was fourth in the junior standings.
“With potential in abundance, Matteo was polite, engaging but, above all, modest,” the ERC said in a tribute.
The Automobile Club of Italy also paid tribute to the promising driver.
“The tragic news of the passing of Matteo Doretto, a young talent from Pordenone in motorsport, saddens us deeply,” the governor of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Massimiliano Fedriga said in a statement.
“On behalf of the entire regional community, I express my 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,” concluded the governor, “the entire region is moved to join those who loved him.”
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Originally published as Motorsport world in mourning as 21-year-old driver Matteo Doretto dies after crashing into tree
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