WRC
How Paddon’s “never give up” attitude earned “surprise” WRC second chance
Hayden Paddon had all but ruled out any prospect of competing in the FIA World Rally Championship in 2026, but, as they say; a week is a long time in motorsport.
In the space of seven days, Paddon’s eight-year desire to return to rallying’s top tier was fulfilled when Hyundai came calling with the offer of a 2026 drive in its third i20 N Rally1 car, alongside fellow experienced drivers Dani Sordo and Esapekka Lappi.
“I was very surprised, but it is a good surprise and it has happened all very quickly too, maybe one week. I haven’t really had a lot of time to think about it, but for sure it is a big opportunity,” said 2016 Rally Argentina winner Paddon.
Next month’s Rallye Monte-Carlo season opener will mark Paddon’s first WRC drive for the Hyundai factory team since he finished second behind Toyota’s Jari-Matti Latvala at Kennards Hire Rally Australia in 2018. It is fair to say a lot has changed for both Paddon and the WRC since that moment.
Latvala, for example, is no longer contesting rallies for Toyota but acting as the Japanese marque’s team principal. The WRC has ushered in Rally1 regulations, introduced Super Sunday points and has crowned Ott Tänak [2019] Kalle Rovanpera [2022, 2023], Thierry Neuville [2024] as world champions, while Sébastian Ogier [2020,2021, 2025] has added another three titles to his glittering record.
Paddon, however, has also been busy during his hiatus from the WRC’s top class, winning back-to-back FIA European Rally Championship titles [2023, 2024] driving a Hyundai i20 N Rally2 car. The New Zealander also added three New Zealand Rally Championship crowns, and this year claimed the Australian Rally Championship title, all driving Hyundai machinery.
While the 38-year-old has enjoyed the success, which also included a WRC2 class win when the WRC’s returned to his native New Zealand in 2022, he never gave up on a dream to return to the big time.
Paddon's last top-flight start was in 2018
© Hyundai
“It was a long time ago since we have driven at this level, but we have never given up,” he said.
“I was more initially thinking towards [coming back to the WRC in] 2027 with the new regulations and trying to be involved with that. For sure, the opportunity to drive a Rally1 car, and it is the last year of these cars, is a dream come true. We get to enjoy this car before the regulations change.”
The opportunity for a partial season with Hyundai is, as Paddon says, “a good surprise” - but it will come with pressure.
Hyundai has hired Paddon due to his experience and he will be required to quickly adjust to life behind the wheel of a Rally1 car and deliver the points it needs to challenge Toyota and M-Sport Ford in the fight for the manufacturers’ crown.
Paddon with co-driver Jack Morton at Rallye National Hivernal du Devoluy
© Hyundai
Such a target will provide some nervousness next year, but Paddon is backing himself to deliver.
“For me, rallying is my life and when you have the opportunity to drive a Rally1 car, you have to take it. I’m realistic, I’m not here to win rallies anymore. That is not my job - my job is to play the team game and I back myself. I believe we have a lot of experience and can be consistent and try to be smart and maybe help with the car development. It is exciting but I am nervous too,” he added.
Preparations for Monte Carlo began earlier this month when Paddon jumped behind the wheel of a Hyundai i20 N Rally2 to adjust to the Hankook tyres on asphalt stages at Rallye National Hivernal du Devoluy in France.
