Hayden Paddon given green light to push at Rally Japan
Hayden Paddon and co-driver John Kennard are set for a change in tactical mandate for their next outing in the third Hyundai i20 N Rally1. After focusing on bringing the car home during their previous tarmac appearances in Monte-Carlo and Croatia—the latter resulting in a podium finish—the duo has been cleared to push for maximum performance at Rally Japan.
Hyundai sporting director Andrew Wheatley confirmed the shift in approach, noting that Paddon is expected to attack the technical stages rather than play it safe. Paddon, who earned his first WRC podium since 2018 in Croatia, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to move past his previous conservative mandates.
The team enters the event aiming to recover from recent asphalt struggles, specifically looking to improve upon their performance in the Canary Islands. While the i20 N has faced challenges with its operating window on sealed surfaces, Hyundai remains optimistic that the specific characteristics of the Japanese stages will allow for a more competitive showing.
