Kiwi Rally Driver Returns to World Championship After 8 Years

After being brutally cut from the Hyundai Motorsport team in 2018, rally driver Hayden Paddon refused to let his World Rally Championship dream die.

This weekend, the 38-year-old New Zealander will take his place on the starting line at Rally Monte Carlo, marking his first WRC appearance since 2018. He'll be driving for the very team that once dropped him, reuniting with long-time co-driver John Kennard in a Hyundai i20N Rally1 car.

Paddon's journey back to the top wasn't easy. He was demoted from a full-time drive in 2017, then cut completely from the team for 2019 despite finishing second in his final rally. Most would have walked away, but Paddon kept racing in various competitions around the world while developing his own team.

His loyalty to Hyundai New Zealand, the brand's local arm, never wavered during those lean years. That connection ultimately helped pave his path back to the international stage.

The comeback couldn't be more challenging. Rally Monte Carlo features constantly changing weather, plus unpredictable combinations of tarmac, snow, and ice. It's considered the most demanding rally on the calendar, and Paddon readily admits it's "not my favorite rally."

Why This Inspires

Paddon's story shows what happens when talent meets determination. At an age when many athletes have retired, he's proving that setbacks don't have to be endings. His eight years away from the WRC weren't wasted; they were spent honing his skills and maintaining relationships that would eventually bring him back.

His goals for the comeback are refreshingly honest. First, finish the race and get comfortable in the new car. Then, build from there toward fighting for a podium position later in the season. There's no false bravado, just a seasoned professional ready to work.

The reunion with Kennard adds emotional weight to the story. The two have been partners for years, and getting another shot together at the highest level of rally racing is something neither expected.

For rally fans in New Zealand, where Paddon has an army of loyal supporters, seeing their hero back on the world stage is reward enough.