Hayden Paddon has opened up about his personal growth and potential further opportunities after the shock announcement of his return to the World Rally Championship next year.
Paddon is rejoining Hyundai as part of a five-driver team in 2026, for the first time since 2018.
Estonian Ott Tanak’s decision to quit the World Rally Championship (WRC) has seen Hyundai split its third car between three drivers - Esapekka Lappi, Dani Sordo and Paddon.
The trio will each take on different events to support fulltime drivers Thierry Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux in Hyundai’s quest for the Manufacturers’ Championship.
Paddon is confirmed to compete in Rallye Monte Carlo in January, with up to four other events to be determined as the 14-rally season progresses.
The Kiwi brings a wealth of experience. He won eight WRC podiums in his first WRC stint, including a Rally Argentina victory in 2016.
Since then, Paddon has claimed two European rally titles, as well as this year’s Australian Rally Championship crown. He also boasts seven New Zealand Rally Championship wins.
Paddon said life experience has made him much wiser than when his first WRC stint finished in 2018.
“Just running our own team over the last years and pushing forward with new projects. When you’re young and ambitious, you’re just full steam ahead. The risk comes down somewhat, and you just want to win everything.
“When things don’t go to plan, things become derailed very easily, or you make silly mistakes.
“At my age now, you’ve learnt what your weaknesses are and what your strengths are and how to play to your strengths more often and stay calmer in different situations.”
Paddon said they have competed in a wide variety of conditions.
“When I was in the WRC, tarmac was still pretty new for us, whereas nowadays, we almost do more tarmac rallying than what we do gravel.
“So, it’s just all these different attributes of rallying all around the world and various cars and various championships that I think just give you more experience.”
From 2027, the FIA – the WRC’s governing body – will introduce greater flexibility around the bodywork, shape and design of the rally cars in order to reduce costs.
Paddon believes there is a chance his part-time role could develop into something more with Hyundai in the future.
“Twenty-seven is going to be a big shake-up for the World Rally Championship because it’s a whole new ruleset, whole new spec car. It’s going to create a lot more opportunities for the sport, for more teams, more drivers.
“Just being involved in the WRC in ’26 could create opportunities for myself and our team and everything going forward for ’27. So, I guess, never say never.”
Paddon said maintaining a close relationship with Hyundai while competing in the European Championship helped make his WRC return possible.
The 38-year-old said negotiations started when Tanak announced his shock exit a month ago.
“Just out of the blue, I thought, I’ll send the new sporting director an email and say, ‘hey, look, I know this is a long shot, but just put it out there that we’re still available and we’re still motivated.’
“To my surprise, they came back saying, ‘yep, we’re considering you, you’re on a short list, are you interested in X, Y, and Z?’
“And then it pretty much took off from there, literally within days. And then we’re on a plane to France.”
Paddon said the shared dynamic with Lappi and Sordo comes down to Hyundai’s tactical approach to help win the Manufacturers’ Championship.
“It’ll come down to what events are strong for what drivers. It might even come down to road positions, which will be dictated by the championship positions at the time.
“So, to begin with, we’re all sort of doing around three to five events. Exactly what events they entail will fluctuate as the year progresses.”
Rallye Monte-Carlo is the WRC’s opening event, taking place from January 22 to 25.
Paddon said he and co-driver John Kennard will not be setting the world on fire immediately.
“We are getting chucked in the deep end, and ultimately, the team’s got Thierry Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux who will be fighting up the front.
“They’re very fast on Monte, so our role is to go there and try and be smart, be consistent, try and make no mistakes, get to the finish and be there to pick up points and pick up pieces of others who have problems.”
Nathan Limm has been a journalist with Newstalk ZB and the NZ Herald since 2020. He covered the Netball World Cup in Cape Town in 2023, hosts The Big League Podcast and commentates rugby and netball for Gold Sport.