Hayden Paddon has been forced to retire midway through day one of Rally Estonia after a positive Covid-19 test. The positive test result means the 35 year old will miss the remainder of the event and not be in action until next months Rally Finland.
Competing for the first time this year in the WRC2 class, Paddon was off the pace of the leaders after the first five stages as he prepares in his Hyundai i20 N Rally 2 for a full-time attack on the championship next year.
After failing to return from his midday lunch break, it was assumed mechanical difficulties were preventing the kiwi from rejoining the days events. Haddon later debunked this through a Facebook post, confirming the positive test result.
“Unfortunately we have had to withdraw from Rally Estonia,” the post began.
“Gutted is an understatement, but we have been left with no option.”
“I started feeling unwell last night but returned negative Covid tests. This morning I continued to feel quite ill and couldn’t focus at all on the stages and driving. At midday service another Covid test was taken which returned a positive result. We have now had to follow all Covid protocols which means withdrawal from the rally.”
The withdrawal is the latest disappointment in a cruel last few years for Paddon, which began with a three-race stint with Ford in 2019. Incidents in the first two of these events damaged his chances of making the move permanent, before Rally Australia was cancelled due to the bushfire crisis, all but eliminating his chances of rejoining the world rallying topflight for the next seasons.
Covid lockdowns further compounded these issues, restricting the veteran’s opportunities on the worldwide stage until recently. Paddon did, however, manage to compete in a variety of local events in the NZRC, most recently winning the South Canterbury Rally.
Rally Finland begins on the 4th of August, and it is hoped that Paddon will return as a contender in the WRC2 class.
There is no doubt the kiwi driver deserves to be up there with the best, and a change in fortunes is definitely due for the 2016 YPF Rally Argentina winner, still the only time a New Zealander has been on the top step at a WRC event.
