At the completion of leg one of Acropolis Rally Greece this evening, Welsh Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT driver Elfyn Evans said: “Her Majesty The Queen has been a respected presence in the UK and indeed across the world. As the longest reigning monarch, she has devoted her life to serving the nation and there will be many tributes to that remarkable lifetime of service.”

His co-driver Scott Martin, from England, added: “It was very sad news but what a legacy she leaves behind. I imagine the changes she has lived through have been incredible, but we followed her dearly and she will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with her family during this very sad period, but the nation will get together and all remember her for all the good that she did for the country.”

Englishman Gus Greensmith, who drives for the British M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, said: “The Queen had an incredible life of dedication and service to her country. She represented all the core values that make me proud to be British and proud to carry the British flag on the side of my car. For sure we’re all sad for her passing but she’s also left an incredible legacy and showed exactly how the monarchy can be a positive influence on the world.”

Richard Millener, Team Principal of the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team, said: “Every British person you speak to can only remember the Queen as our monarch. She was the grandmother or mother that everybody relied upon. Unfortunately, in the last couple of years, people have been expecting this to come at some point but when it finally happened it was an incredibly sad thing to see. She was what hard work and dedication were all about and will be a huge miss to the country, an icon who will forever be remembered.”

Robert Reid, who co-drove fellow Briton Richard Burns to the 2001 FIA World Rally Championship title, added: “The Queen was one of the most respected heads of state in history and her passing is incredibly sad, not just for the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth but for so many others around the world upon whose lives she had such a profound impact. I join FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and all the FIA community in mourning her passing.”