Hayden Paddon Secures Second Place at Rally Paraguay

Hayden Paddon, representing New Zealand and the Hyundai World Rally Team, achieved a second-place finish at Rally del Paraguay, part of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship, on August 30, 2026. This event marked his first Rally1 gravel start since his return to the WRC.

Paddon, alongside co-driver John Kennard, initially participated in an asphalt program but was later given the opportunity to compete on gravel in Paraguay. He led the rally on Friday before ultimately finishing behind Toyota's Sami Pajari. This podium finish was Paddon's second in his four-round program, having previously moved up to third place in Croatia after another competitor's crash.

Following the race, Paddon expressed that this podium felt significant, countering skepticism about his return to the sport. He acknowledged the support from Hyundai and his team, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and belief in one's abilities. While his future in the WRC remains uncertain, he plans to assist Hyundai in developing its upgraded Rally2 car for the upcoming season.