Hayden Paddon is still hopeful of continuing with Hyundai after Rally Japan, where he returned to the top category of WRC for the first time since 2018. The New Zealander, who has one WRC victory and two European Rally Championships to his name, returned to the top class, sharing the team's third factory car with Dani Sordo and Esapekka Lappi.
“"We did everything."”
Paddon believes Hyundai has fully met his expectations. The driver openly stated his position, saying, "We did everything that was asked," and hinted that the team should also be given a chance on gravel tracks. It's known that the initial agreement with Hyundai was focused on asphalt; however, Paddon makes no secret of his desire to take this collaboration further.
The meaning of the comeback in WRC
For Paddon, who returned to the Rally1 cockpit after an eight-year hiatus, the Japanese event was an important test to regain his footing in top-level rallying. The experienced driver views this period positively, both personally and for Hyundai, and emphasizes that gravel stages have become even more appealing to him. How Hyundai will respond to this demand will become clear in the coming period.