Hayden Paddon has been chosen to take the third seat of Hyundai Motorsport in the World Rally Championship event that will take place in Paraguay at the end of this month. This decision has come after the last Rally Finland, where the team received evaluations about its driver lineup.
Paddon, who was confirmed as a Hyundai driver along with Dani Sordo and Esapekka Lappi, has been competing in the asphalt events in Monte Carlo, Croatia, and Japan this season. After a four-year absence from the WRC, the New Zealand driver is now seeking the opportunity to compete on gravel, a surface with which he has a strong affinity.
Just hours after the conclusion of Rally Finland, Hyundai announced that Paddon would take over the vehicle that Lappi drove during the event. The team has yet to confirm who will drive for the Chile round following Paraguay.
Paddon has expressed his excitement for this new opportunity: ‘I am incredibly grateful to be back in the WRC, this time on gravel, and to travel to a part of the world that holds very special memories for us.’ The driver is aware of the challenges ahead, knowing that competing in a Rally1 against the best in the world will not be easy, but he is ready to give his all in this competition that he values so much.
‘I am very thankful to Hyundai Motorsport for their trust and for giving me this opportunity. I never imagined I would be competing on gravel in the main category again, so we will enjoy it to the fullest,’ added Paddon.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
