Hayden Paddon and John Kennard have returned to the World Rally Championship podium, finishing third at Rally Croatia in a demanding and incident-filled event.
The result marks their first podium in the World Rally Championship since 2018, coming in just their second outing of the season with Hyundai Motorsport.
It was a measured and disciplined drive across the three-day rally, with the Kiwi pairing focusing on consistency as Croatia’s low-grip, narrow tarmac stages caught out a number of leading crews. Paddon and Kennard moved into fourth early in the 20-stage event and held that position through most of the rally.
A late twist on the final stage ultimately elevated them onto the podium. Rally leader Thierry Neuville crashed out just kilometres from the finish after sliding off the road and hitting a concrete block, promoting the Hyundai teammates into third.
Paddon acknowledged the circumstances but also the approach that put them in a position to benefit.
“A result is a result. We have done it by being a bit technical, having wisdom, and being smart. We have made a good step up from Monte,” he said.
The result was also significant for the long-standing partnership between Paddon and Kennard.
“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.”
It was the first time the pair had competed at Rally Croatia and only their second WRC start of the year, having previously lined up at the Monte Carlo Rally.
They faced their own challenges during the rally, including worsening road conditions, increasing debris and a puncture on Saturday, but avoided any major setbacks to stay in contention.
“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.”
Paddon admitted the rally turned into more of a survival test than expected.
“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 result is Paddon’s best finish on a WRC tarmac rally and leaves both he and Kennard sitting 11th in their respective championship standings after limited appearances this season.
While their programme with Hyundai is expected to remain part-time, the Croatia result is a strong return to the podium for one of New Zealand’s most experienced rally pairings.
Header Image: Hyundai Motorsport/WRC
