Matteo Doretto, born in 2003 in Pordenone, Italy, was a rising star in rally racing, celebrated for winning the 2024 Italian Junior Rally Championship. His promising career, marked by a debut in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) Junior category in 2025, was tragically cut short on June 11, 2025, when he died at 21 in a crash during pre-race testing for the Rally of Poland. Driving a Peugeot 208 Rally4, Doretto’s car struck a tree near Elganowo, killing him instantly, while his co-driver, Samuele Pellegrino, survived. Known for his humility and talent, Doretto’s death prompted widespread tributes, underscoring his impact on motorsport. This biography, presented with a detailed table, captures his life, achievements, and legacy.
Matteo Doretto Biography: A Young Rally Star’s Journey
June 12, 2025 – Matteo Doretto, the 2024 Italian Junior Rally Champion, was a beacon of talent in motorsport until his tragic death at 21 during a test session for the Rally of Poland on June 11, 2025. Hailing from Pordenone, Italy, Doretto’s passion for rally racing propelled him to national acclaim and an international stage, where he was poised for greatness. Below is a comprehensive biography, followed by a table summarizing his life, career, and legacy, honoring a young champion gone too soon.
Early Life and Passion for Rally
Born in 2003 in Pordenone, Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Matteo Doretto grew up with a deep love for motorsport, nurtured in a region known for its rally culture. His talent emerged early, and by his teens, he was competing in local events, catching the eye of ACI Sport’s youth program. Despite his youth, Doretto’s focus and humility set him apart, earning him a spot in the ACI Team Italia initiative, designed to develop Italy’s next rally stars.
Rise to Stardom: 2024 Italian Junior Champion
Doretto’s career began in earnest in 2022, driving a Renault in Italian junior rallies. His breakthrough came in 2024, when he clinched the Italian Junior Rally Championship, a title that showcased his precision and speed. Supported by Motorsport Italia, Pirelli, and MS Munaretto, he competed in a Peugeot 208 Rally4, mastering challenging terrains. His victory opened doors to the FIA ERC Junior category, where he debuted in 2025 with co-driver Andrea Budoia, later teaming with Samuele Pellegrino for the Rally of Poland.
International Career and 2025 Season
In 2025, Doretto embarked on his first full ERC Junior season, racing in events like the Rally Sierra Morena (7th place) and Rally Hungary (3rd place), where he celebrated a podium finish on Instagram: “A tough weekend on technical stages. The result rewards the team’s work.” His performances drew attention from international teams, with many predicting a bright future. The Rally of Poland, set for June 13–15, was to be his fourth ERC event, but tragedy struck during testing.
The Tragic Accident
On June 11, 2025, during a test session on the Pasym–Elganowo stage in Poland’s Varmia-Masuria region, Doretto’s Peugeot 208 Rally4 veered off a gravel road at high speed, crashing into a lone tree. The impact, primarily on the driver’s side, was fatal, despite extensive efforts by firefighters and medics to resuscitate him. Co-driver Samuele Pellegrino, 26, exited the wreckage independently and was hospitalized in stable condition, shaken but alive. Polish authorities, via spokesperson Grzegorz Różański, confirmed no external factors contributed to the crash.
Legacy and Tributes
Doretto’s death sent shockwaves through the motorsport community. ACI Team Italia canceled promotional activities, and the FIA ERC planned to honor him during the Rally of Poland. Fans on X shared heartfelt messages, with @SplitTimeRally lamenting, “Nothing but pain! This hurts a lot!” In Pordenone, his hometown mourned a local hero, with Messaggero Veneto noting his role as an inspiration for young drivers. Described as “humble, talented, and passionate,” Doretto’s legacy endures as a reminder of rally’s risks and rewards.
Biography Table: Matteo Doretto’s Life and Career
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Matteo Doretto |
| Birth Date | 2003 (exact date not publicly specified) |
| Birthplace | Pordenone, Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Italy |
| Death Date | June 11, 2025 (age 21) |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Early Life | Grew up in Pordenone; developed passion for rally racing in teens |
| Career Start | 2022, competing in Italian junior rallies with a Renault |
| Major Achievement | 2024 Italian Junior Rally Champion, ACI Team Italia |
| 2025 Season | FIA ERC Junior debut; 7th in Rally Sierra Morena, 3rd in Rally Hungary |
| Rally Team | MS Munaretto, Motorsport Italia, Pirelli; drove Peugeot 208 Rally4 |
| Co-Drivers | Andrea Budoia (2024–2025); Samuele Pellegrino (Rally of Poland 2025) |
| Fatal Accident | June 11, 2025, pre-race testing, Rally of Poland, Pasym–Elganowo stage |
| Accident Details | Peugeot 208 Rally4 crashed into a tree at high speed; driver-side impact |
| Survivor | Co-driver Samuele Pellegrino, hospitalized in stable condition |
| Tributes | ACI Team Italia, FIA ERC, fans on X; Pordenone community in mourning |
| Legacy | Rising star; inspired young drivers; highlighted rally’s risks |
