Hayden Paddon will return to racing in the FIA WRC alongside John Kennard for three races of the 2022 season, looking forward to being present full-time next year.
The New Zealander has reached an agreement with Hyundai New Zealand, which will support him in the adventure in the WRC2 Class at the wheel of a new i20 N Rally2.
The 34-year-old will be at the start of events in Estonia, Finland and of course New Zealand in front of his fans, waiting to put together the entire program for 2023.
“We are delighted to be working with Hyundai New Zealand on a two-year WRC2 project with the new i20 N Rally2. This year we have planned a season that will allow us to pick up speed with the car,” said Paddon, whose last world championship race had been in 2019.
“We will need to develop her and the team before embarking on a full seven-rally season in 2023, where the only goal will be to win the title.”
Hayden Paddon, Hyundai WRC2
Photo by: Hayden Paddon
Paddon posed for the official photos alongside a road i20 N in the black livery that he will use on his racing car.
“We have been trying hard for the past two years to get back into the WRC. It has been tough with everything that is happening in the world. Together with Hyundai New Zealand we have decided to take matters into our own hands and launch our own team to take on WRC2.”
“I am really excited to do this, of course it will be challenging, but we have a clear goal for this two-year program and we will do our best to try to achieve it.”
“I’m looking forward to racing the fantastic New Zealand Rally roads again and showing what Hyundai is capable of.”
#WRC #Hayden #Paddon #returns #World #Championship #Hyundai #WRC2