Hayden Paddon ready to give everything in WRC "full-circle" moment

Here is the thing about a true gravel specialist getting back on their preferred surface: they do not just drive, they unleash. Hayden Paddon has been recalled by Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team for what will be his first top-level FIA World Rally Championship start on gravel since Rally Australia in 2018. That is a long time away from the dirt for a driver who prefers it above all else.

After three asphalt outings in Monte-Carlo, Croatia and Japan, Paddon had been eager for an opportunity to showcase his skills behind the wheel of the i20 N Rally1 on gravel. Paddon has impressed on his top-flight WRC return this year and is the only driver to have taken Hyundai’s third i20 N to the podium, following a run to third in Croatia. Having utilised Paddon exclusively on asphalt rallies thus far, Hyundai announced following Rally Finland that it would hand the third car to Paddon and co-driver John Kennard for Paraguay. They will then make way for team-mates Esapekka Lappi and Enni Mälkönen for the second South American event, Rally Chile Bio Bío (10–13 September).

Looking ahead to Paraguay, Paddon says receiving a Rally1 opportunity on gravel in South America is even more special given his history in the region. The 39-year-old’s only WRC victory to date came in Argentina while driving for Hyundai in 2016. “I’m very excited to finally be on gravel with the car, and to be doing it in South America makes it even more special. It feels like a full-circle moment,” said Paddon. “Our mileage on gravel is limited to just two short tests, but from the very first kilometre I felt at home in the car and on the surface. I know the car reasonably well now from our tarmac events, and gravel is my comfort zone, so it’s a matter of combining the two and getting up to speed as quickly as possible. We’ve spent a lot of time studying videos and data to prepare, and the fact that 40% of the route is new this year helps us a little. The target is different to our tarmac events – this time we want to drive flat out, give it everything we have and deliver the strongest result possible for the team.”

Hyundai heads to Paraguay confident that the work carried out on its car since last year’s event will put the team in a strong position. Thierry Neuville claimed third in Paraguay last year ahead of then team-mate Ott Tänak, while Adrien Fourmaux had been on course for a career-best second place until a heavy rain shower on the final day scuppered his hopes. “The team was fast in 2025 in both Paraguay and Chile but suffered with small issues that meant a win was not possible,” said Hyundai sporting director Andrew Wheatley. “Twelve months later, we know that the hard work the team has done on the pre-event preparation and the rally-by-rally setup for the Evo version of the Rally1 i20 N means that the pace shown on the rough gravel stages in Kenya, Portugal and Greece, plus the confirmation that we are close to the target car speed for the smooth, fast gravel stages, should help us to start Paraguay in a positive mindset. As always, fighting for a win against strong competition means no mistakes, but we have three crews that can challenge for the podium.”