It is with profound sorrow that we shared the news of the passing of Matteo Doretto, who tragically lost his life during a private test session ahead of this year’s Rally Poland.
Matteo, a promising talent in the FIA Junior ERC championship, was preparing for the Polish round of the European Rally Championship when his car – a Peugeot 208 Rally4 – left the road and struck a tree during a private test near Pasym, approximately 25 km south-east of Olsztyn. Despite immediate emergency response, the 21-year-old driver succumbed to his injuries. His co-driver, 26-year-old Samuele Pellegrino, was transported to hospital for precautionary checks and was unharmed.
Rallying ran deep in Matteo’s blood. He was the grandson of rally competitor Nello Doretto, and the son of Michele Doretto and Barbara Arciangoli – themselves a long-standing rally crew.
In 2024, Matteo partnered with Marco Frigo to claim the Italian Junior Rally Championship title, securing three victories in six rounds behind the wheel of a Renault Clio Rally5.
This season marked Matteo’s debut on the European stages, where he quickly demonstrated his potential. At Rally Hungary – only his second ERC appearance – he claimed a podium finish in both the Junior ERC and ERC4 categories, alongside co-driver Andrea Budoia. Polite, kind-hearted, and quietly ambitious, Matteo was focused on improving his pace on gravel and had expressed his excitement about competing in his home round at Rally di Roma Capitale next month. The test ahead of ORLEN OIL 81st Rally Poland was part of his preparation toward that goal.
We extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Matteo’s family, his co-drivers Andrea Budoia and Samuele Pellegrino, the MS Munaretto team, and all those who had the privilege of working with or knowing Matteo. His time in the ERC paddock was brief, but his impact was lasting.