It’s fair to say Hayden Paddon’s return to the World Rally Championship next year after an eight-year hiatus was a surprise for the rally world to digest. It was even a shock for Paddon, but it was one of those “good surprises” that underlines why it is important to never give up on dreams.
That dream is now reality, as the 38-year-old finds himself preparing to contest next month’s WRC season opener in Monte Carlo. The likeable Kiwi will jump behind the wheel of Hyundai’s third factory i20 N Rally1 car, following a shakeup of the Korean marque’s line-up after the departure of 2019 world champion Ott Tanak.
