And he won’t have to wait long. Next month’s Monte Carlo Rally marks his full factory WRC return since finishing second at the 2018 Rally Australia. Here’s some numbers on the intervening seven years: he’s started 65 rallies and won 11 titles (and that includes 2020, when Covid restrictions meant he only did two events).
“We’ve never given up with all the programs we’ve been doing over the last eight years all over the world.
“This is massive. It’s a pinch yourself moment to think that eight years after we were last in the WRC, we’re going back. That’s pretty unheard of. So many people believed in us for so many years. Of course, we’re going to take this opportunity with both hands and do the best job we can and see what we can make of it.
“It’s great to see our loyalty to the Hyundai brand, which started 12 years ago, has helped create this opportunity. I’m hugely thankful to so many people to make this happen.”
Paddon’s under no illusions about the task in hand. When he won the 2016 Rally Argentina, he was, effectively Hyundai’s team leader and a driver looking more and more like a world championship challenger. Now, it’s different.