Paddon withdraws from Finland, his Ford destroyed in private testing

Hayden Paddon was happy to return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) on the occasion of Rally de Finlande (1er-4 août). Le Néo-Zélandais avait consenti de nombreux efforts financiers pour s’engager en ‘’one-shot’’ à bord d’une Ford Fiesta de l’équipe M-Sport Ford. Il ne verra finalement pas le départ du shakedown.

Many will have seen the images from @HaydenPaddon's crash during this morning's test. While he and @JKCoDriver are both okay, which is the most important thing, the damage is too much to repair and we're devastated to say that they will not start this weekend's @RallyFinland #WRC

- M-Sport (@MSportLtd) July 29, 2019

The former official driver Hyundai a déclaré forfait after a very violent exit from the track during private testing Monday July 29. The car is too damaged to be repaired before the start of the event. 

“A rock was rolled out of the shoulder while passing, Hayden turned around, and when he came back he saw this stone in the middle of a blind curve, in sixth gear », explains Richard Millener, team principal of the team, to the official WRC website.

The rock hit the engine crankcase and caused a series of rolls. “There was nothing they could do about it.”, continues Malcolm Wilson's successor. “This is a horrible situation for Hayden. This guy is having the most bad luck possible right now. Unfortunately, This is the risk when you drive your car intended for the rally. »

3/3 Where to next…..who knows. But it's great to have the support of @MSportLtd at present. Motor sport can be cruel, but it is these highs and lows that makes us stronger and keeps bringing us back – fans and competitors alike. Best of luck to everyone competing this weekend. pic.twitter.com/cZ0XsczfTi

— Hayden Paddon (@HaydenPaddon) July 29, 2019

Hayden Paddon will therefore have to watch the event as a spectator. This is a huge blow for the man who had no longer received any news from his former employer Hyundai in the 2018-19 off-season and who had since returned to the Antipodes in national competitions. 

“I wanted to know how I felt after eight months away from a WRC car, he justifies himself. The sensations were very good. It was as if I had never been away. »

Hayden Paddon and his co-driver John Kennard were fortunately unhurt. The M-Sport Ford team will therefore only count on Teemu Suninen and Gus Greensmith, replacing Elfyn Evans.