Hayden Paddon secures second place at Rally Paraguay
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 30, 2026, 11:29 PM
Last updated Aug 30, 2026
Hayden Paddon finished second overall at Rally Paraguay, marking a significant return to the top flight of the WRC. The New Zealander rejoined the series this season after a hiatus that lasted since 2018. Hyundai recruited Paddon to rotate in the third factory i20 N Rally1 entry alongside teammates Dani Sordo and Esapekka Lappi. Following the result, Paddon stated the performance serves as a response to critics who questioned his signing with the team. The podium finish provides momentum for his ongoing partial-season campaign with the manufacturer.
- •Hayden Paddon secured a second-place finish at Rally Paraguay.
- •The result marks his first top-tier WRC appearance since 2018.
- •Paddon shares the third factory i20 N Rally1 car with Dani Sordo and Esapekka Lappi.
- •The podium finish acts as a direct rebuttal to criticism regarding his signing.
- 11:29 PMAutosport — Paddon answers critics that had “written us off" with "proper" WRC podium
- 11:23 PMMotorsport.com — Hayden Paddon answers doubters with “proper” WRC podium in Paraguay
"Hayden Paddon says his run to second at Rally Paraguay "felt like a win” and provided an answer to those who “thought we were a bit of a joke of a signing”. The New Zealander returned to the WRC's top flight this season for the first time since 2018 after Hyundai signed the driver alongside Dani Sordo and Esapekka Lappi to share its third factory i20 N Rally1 car. Hyundai initially ...Keep reading
"Hayden Paddon says his run to second at Rally Paraguay "felt like a win” and provided an answer to those who “thought we were a bit of a joke of a signing”. The New Zealander returned to the WRC's top flight this season for the first time since 2018 after Hyundai signed the driver alongside Dani Sordo and Esapekka Lappi to share its third factory i20 N Rally1 car. Hyundai initially ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- AutosportAug 30, 2026, 11:29 PMPaddon answers critics that had “written us off" with "proper" WRC podium
Hayden Paddon says his run to second at Rally Paraguay "felt like a win” and provided an answer to those who “thought we were a bit of a joke of a signing”. The New Zealander returned to the WRC's top flight this season for the first time since 2018 after Hyundai signed the driver alongside Dani Sordo and Esapekka Lappi to share its third factory i20 N Rally1 car. Hyundai initially ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comAug 30, 2026, 11:23 PMHayden Paddon answers doubters with “proper” WRC podium in Paraguay
Hayden Paddon says his run to second at Rally Paraguay "felt like a win” and provided an answer to those who “thought we were a bit of a joke of a signing”. The New Zealander returned to the WRC's top flight this season for the first time since 2018 after Hyundai signed the driver alongside Dani Sordo and Esapekka Lappi to share its third factory i20 N Rally1 car. Hyundai initially ...Keep reading
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