Paddon back on world podium
Hayden Paddon and John Lennard have claimed third in the Croatia Rally, putting the pair back on a World Rally Championship (WRC) podium for the first time in nearly a decade.
The New Zealand duo appeared set to finish in fourth but were promoted after their Hyundai Motorsport teammates, Thierry Neville and Martijn Wydaeghe, crashed out of the rally lead on the final stage.
This was the first time the Kiwis had contested this rally and only their second start for Hyundai this year, and Paddon’s second WRC start in eight years.
Paddon’s last podium finish in a WRC event was in Australia in 2018 with British co-driver Seb Marshall. Kennard was with Paddon when they finished third in Poland for Hyundai Motorsport in 2016.
Paddon paid credit to the team’s hard work over the three-day event from April 10-12 and says it was a bittersweet way to make the podium.
“It is hard to comprehend that we’re back on the WRC podium. A bit surreal to do this again with John and it’s been a journey together over the last 20-plus years,” he adds.
“I never expected to be back on a WRC podium eight years after our last one – a full circle moment.
“Obviously gutted for the team, Thierry and Martin, who missed out on the win for the team. Not the way we wanted to gain a podium.
“However, we stuck to our plan of keeping it neat and tidy to stay out of trouble and do our job to get to the end of the rally. We are certainly gaining more confidence with the car the more we drive it and there is more speed to come.”
Croatia’s narrow tarmac roads took their toll on a number of competitors over the weekend, but Paddon delivered what was considered one of the standout drives and avoided any major problems.
“A result is a result. We have done it by being a bit technical and having wisdom and being smart.
“I had thought it wasn’t going to be an attrition rally but I couldn’t have been more wrong on that,” Paddon notes.
“Our plan this weekend was to be within 0.5 seconds per kilometre of our teammates and to get to the finish. We did that, and we were there to pick up the pieces – we didn’t want to be picking up ‘these’ pieces, so it’s going to take a bit for this podium finish to sink in after seeing Thierry crash out on the final stage.”
The Kiwi pairing were fourth after the first two days of the event after having to contend with increasing amounts of debris on the course and suffering a puncture on Saturday’s long stage.
Paddon says he had to find a “happy middle ground” of having enough pace but still bringing the car home to get points for the team.
The Croatia result puts Paddon and Kennard into 11th place in their respective driver’s and co-driver’s championship standings.
