The Irishman teamed up with Breen for the ultimate WRC spherical in Japan final 12 months forward of the 2023 marketing campaign with Hyundai, which might have seen the duo share the third manufacturing facility i20 N.

Fulton was alongside Breen for what was the 33-year-old’s ultimate WRC occasion at Rally Sweden, the place the pair completed second, earlier than the previous tragically died in a testing accident forward of final month’s WRC spherical in Croatia. Fulton was unhurt within the incident.

Alongside the WRC marketing campaign, Fulton had dedicated to partnering Breen within the Portuguese Rally Championship, competing for the Workforce Hyundai Portugal squad in a Rally2 I20 N.

This seat has been stuffed by five-time WRC rally winner Meeke following an invitation from the squad to the Northern Irishman, who was a former team-mate and shut buddy of Breen.

Operating in particular livery to honour the late Hyundai manufacturing facility driver, Meeke claimed an emotional victory at Rali Terras d’Aboboreira final weekend alongside Ola Floene, who stepped into the co-driver seat.

Podium: Craig Breen, James Fulton, Hyundai World Rally Workforce Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photograph by: Fabien Dufour / Hyundai Motorsport

After describing the decision as “not a simple resolution”, Fulton has now determined to hitch Meeke to proceed the Portuguese Rally Championship programme he began alongside Breen for the rest of the season.

“It was a really powerful second, however I really feel, now, able to return,” mentioned Fulton. “It wasn’t a simple resolution, however I do know it’s what Craig would have wished.

“I began this problem with him, and I really feel one of the best ways to honour him is to complete what we began collectively.”

The subsequent spherical of the Portuguese nationwide championship shall be held at Rally Portugal subsequent weekend, which may also host the fifth spherical of the WRC season.

Whereas competing within the nationwide class the duo may also be entered into the WRC2 class for the gravel rally which can function a powerful line-up together with factors chief Yohan Rossel, Sweden winner Oliver Solberg and Mexico victor Gus Greensmith.