The Geraldine rally driver Hayden Paddon will return to the World Rally Championship next year with Hyundai Motorsport.
Hayden Paddon (NZ) and co-driver John Kennard (NZ) Hyundai I20 WRC. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Hayden Paddon (NZ) Hyundai I20 WRC Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Paddon has confirmed an extended programme of at least 9 events, three more than he drove with the team this year.
His first event will be round two in Sweden in February.
Hayden Paddon cornering in his Hyundai in Spain Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Paddon believes the considerable benefit of more competitive kilometres in the Hyundai i20 WRC gives him a greater chance to prove himself against the world's best drivers.
Hayden Paddon driving for Hyundai Photo: Photosport
In his debut WRC season this year Paddon and co-driver John Kennard scored WRC drivers' championship points in five events and won his very first WRC stage in October's Spanish rally.
He says they learnt a lot and built some really good partnerships within the team this year and it's an obvious choice for them to develop more and chase better results in 2015.
Paddon and Kennard will again race the team's third car, with Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo in the two other Hyundai cars.
Team Principal Michel Nandan says Paddon put in some eye-catching performances and helped them a lot in the development of the team and car.
He says Paddon gives excellent technical feedback and works very well as part of a close-knit team with the engineers and mechanics.
Nandan says this year Paddon reduced the gap to his more experienced colleagues and they're happy to be supporting this next phase in his career.
Paddon returns to Europe mid-January to commence testing for the Swedish rally which will be the second time they'll have competed in Sweden's famed icy, wintery conditions.
Despite not competing in the season opening Rallye Monte-Carlo, Paddon and Kennard will still participate in the pre-event recce to build experience for the future.