December 11, 2025 • 6 mins
Hayden Paddon is set to make a shock return to the World Rally Championship next year.
Paddon is re-joining Hyundai as part of a five-driver team in 2026, for the first time since 2018.
He joined D'Arcy to discuss further.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Waldergrave
from News talks'd be it.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Was an hours over the weekend. Hayden Pattern has returning
to the World Rally Championship. It's been eight years since
he's peddled there. Oh, but the baby's back. He's going
to do baby. It's like thirty eight he's gonna join
us now, well maybe he's there after I callt him
man and talk about what he's been up to and
look at head's next season in the WRC. Look, first
(00:35):
of up, Hayden, I got to say hi and congratulations
on getting back into WRC, and then the Hundai.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Team, Yeah, thank you. Unexpected but obviously a pretty nice
surprise and makes it a pretty neve wrecking six weeks
ahead of us now as we get ready for Montegola.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Really, what to you about two years ago? You said
that ship sailed, I'm going to get on with my
electric car. I've still got a great relationship with Younde
here in New Zealand. I know what I've got to do.
What turn that around?
Speaker 3 (01:02):
You think you? Obviously we still have that so I
sit on WC, but more so doing it with their
own team, and to be honest, that's that's still on
the you know, the long term vision of what we
want to do. But in terms of Yudo Murders like,
we're still been working pretty closely with them over the
last few years between the European European Championship and even
Australian Championship, and I guess when Ait Tanic announces retirement
(01:24):
there a couple of months ago. We just went out
to them and said, hey, look we are here, I'm
still motivated. It was a very long shot, because you know,
I'm the first from it. We're probably a long shot
after being out of the game for eight years. So
was pleasantly surprised by their response and the ongoing discussions
that happened after that.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
You say, out of it for a while, but you're
very much in the game. What do you achieve with
your co driver John Kennard over in Europe. That must
have opened their eyes to a degree because that two
years was quite extraordinary.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Yeah, obviously we've stayed loyal to the brand now with
Hindu for twelve years and we've achieved a lot with
the rally to rally henda car, so you know, we're
sort of back trying to develop a car and try
and improve it. And that's probably the bigger picture of
this opportunity as well. It's not just about doing a
few w C rallies. It's about sort of becoming a
bit more ingrained within the team and try and get
(02:18):
involved more in some of the development programs and testing,
and then that's what potentially long term might open opportunities
for our team and that long term vision of what
we want to do actually achieve it with a Kiwi team.
So there's a few things that play with this sort
of deal, but obviously, first and foremost, we've got to
make sure that we can try and deliver what we
need to on the events.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
What a way to start one of the most iconic
rallies on the globe, Monte Carlo. It's the first cab
off the rank and you're off and running. What do
you know about that rally? But what kind of prep
do you have to.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Do for that? Yeah, look, I'm not gonna lie. It's
not a favorite. We've done it I think twice and
haven't had great results there. Yeah, it's a rally that's
you've got to be brave there and the fact that
you know you're on ice and snow and black eyes,
and there's all sorts of unknowings that you know hit
you on that event. But you know, we have to
(03:10):
go into it all the clear mindset. We have to
put behind the pass and what happened eight years ago
and go in there and go Look, we've got clear
targets on the team which are quite realistic, and we
have to go in there, and you know, we have
to remember we're not there to win at the moment.
You know, we're there to play the team game and
tick those boxes. So we have to manage our own
expectations and those are those around us as well. And
(03:32):
just you know, stay focused on the job at hand.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
What are the biggest boxes have to be? Text to
keep it on the black stuff, don't write the car off,
score as many points as you can. What's the most
important part of what you're doing just for this first
rally Horde.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Yeah, to begin with, you know, in that team role
and as a third driver, you know, our role is
to make sure that we're there at the finishment, making
sure that we're picking up the pieces. Our teammates Terry
and Adrian, they'll be fighting for the win and the
two drivers who are very fast in that rally, but
if something goes astray and they have an issue while
they're taking risks that you know, we need to be
there taking a little bit more of a safer approach
(04:05):
to ensure that we we can pick up those points
if we have to. So, yeah, it's a different approach,
but I must say, you know, our approach and mindset
is very different to eight years ago when you were
young and ambitious. Nowadays it's a little bit about being
a little bit older and wiser. And I guess looking
at the big picture.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
When do you get into the car for the first
time and how much has it changed since last time
you peddled one of these top cars.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Well, I'm beout to tell you that probably more after
I've driven one for the first time. Yeah, that's going
to be one of the biggest challenges. We get one
day attesting before Monte Carlo and it's it, And that's
just the way the rules are. Unfortunately, so very little
time in the car. I had a seat fit in
Germany this week, and yeah, the cars are completely different
to what we drove. They're obviously space frame now, probably
(04:48):
more powerful, probably got less ero, just the way the
suspension everything's working is quite different now, so yeah, we
have to adapt very quickly. I'm not going to sit
around and complain about it. That is what it is.
And you know, at the end of the day, we
weren't going to say no to this sort of opportunity.
So you've got to make the most of the situation.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
You've been guaranteed how many rallies? I think you're doing
a third share? Aren't you in this third car?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Oh? Yeah, so three drivers are sharing that third seat.
So to begin with we'll be doing probably around three
rallies and then after that reassess and then hopefully maybe
some more later in the year. But we have to
do the best we got. Our first events that we're
doing are not potentially what you'd call strong events for us,
But as I say, that's the cards that were dealt
and we're very fortunately even have the opportunities and.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
You touch on them before, Hayden. Long term, look, you'd
like to get a new Zealand based team in the
World Rally Champs, fantastic, But with this team running in
the top team, is there a chance that maybe you'll
get a sole driver, you get a major seat.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Well, the sport's gone through a major transformation for twenty
twenty seven. It's a whole new rule set for the cars,
and it's even going to change the way that manufacturers
and teams approach the sport. In terms of it, it's
going to be a lot more accessible. Whether that's going
to encourage or discourage the big manufacturer teams is yet
to be seen. So in some sense, it's actually really
cool that we will be part of it in twenty
(06:07):
twenty six because it is the last year of these
what they call Rally one cars and these cars and monsters,
and we're going to be able to drive them. Before
twenty twenty seven, the cars are going to be slowed
down quite substantially and a lot cheaper as well, so
it'll be a very different wic come twenty seven and
twenty eight.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Well, let's hope the monster doesn't bite you, Hayden, really
looking forward to it. Go well, and thanks for your time.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Great Thanks TUSI.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
they'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Darcy Waldergrave
from News talks'd be it.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Was an hours over the weekend. Hayden Pattern has returning
to the World Rally Championship. It's been eight years since
he's peddled there. Oh, but the baby's back. He's going
to do baby. It's like thirty eight he's gonna join
us now, well maybe he's there after I callt him
man and talk about what he's been up to and
look at head's next season in the WRC. Look, first
(00:35):
of up, Hayden, I got to say hi and congratulations
on getting back into WRC, and then the Hundai.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Team, Yeah, thank you. Unexpected but obviously a pretty nice
surprise and makes it a pretty neve wrecking six weeks
ahead of us now as we get ready for Montegola.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Really, what to you about two years ago? You said
that ship sailed, I'm going to get on with my
electric car. I've still got a great relationship with Younde
here in New Zealand. I know what I've got to do.
What turn that around?
Speaker 3 (01:02):
You think you? Obviously we still have that so I
sit on WC, but more so doing it with their
own team, and to be honest, that's that's still on
the you know, the long term vision of what we
want to do. But in terms of Yudo Murders like,
we're still been working pretty closely with them over the
last few years between the European European Championship and even
Australian Championship, and I guess when Ait Tanic announces retirement
(01:24):
there a couple of months ago. We just went out
to them and said, hey, look we are here, I'm
still motivated. It was a very long shot, because you know,
I'm the first from it. We're probably a long shot
after being out of the game for eight years. So
was pleasantly surprised by their response and the ongoing discussions
that happened after that.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
You say, out of it for a while, but you're
very much in the game. What do you achieve with
your co driver John Kennard over in Europe. That must
have opened their eyes to a degree because that two
years was quite extraordinary.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
Yeah, obviously we've stayed loyal to the brand now with
Hindu for twelve years and we've achieved a lot with
the rally to rally henda car, so you know, we're
sort of back trying to develop a car and try
and improve it. And that's probably the bigger picture of
this opportunity as well. It's not just about doing a
few w C rallies. It's about sort of becoming a
bit more ingrained within the team and try and get
(02:18):
involved more in some of the development programs and testing,
and then that's what potentially long term might open opportunities
for our team and that long term vision of what
we want to do actually achieve it with a Kiwi team.
So there's a few things that play with this sort
of deal, but obviously, first and foremost, we've got to
make sure that we can try and deliver what we
need to on the events.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
What a way to start one of the most iconic
rallies on the globe, Monte Carlo. It's the first cab
off the rank and you're off and running. What do
you know about that rally? But what kind of prep
do you have to.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
Do for that? Yeah, look, I'm not gonna lie. It's
not a favorite. We've done it I think twice and
haven't had great results there. Yeah, it's a rally that's
you've got to be brave there and the fact that
you know you're on ice and snow and black eyes,
and there's all sorts of unknowings that you know hit
you on that event. But you know, we have to
(03:10):
go into it all the clear mindset. We have to
put behind the pass and what happened eight years ago
and go in there and go Look, we've got clear
targets on the team which are quite realistic, and we
have to go in there, and you know, we have
to remember we're not there to win at the moment.
You know, we're there to play the team game and
tick those boxes. So we have to manage our own
expectations and those are those around us as well. And
(03:32):
just you know, stay focused on the job at hand.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
What are the biggest boxes have to be? Text to
keep it on the black stuff, don't write the car off,
score as many points as you can. What's the most
important part of what you're doing just for this first
rally Horde.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
Yeah, to begin with, you know, in that team role
and as a third driver, you know, our role is
to make sure that we're there at the finishment, making
sure that we're picking up the pieces. Our teammates Terry
and Adrian, they'll be fighting for the win and the
two drivers who are very fast in that rally, but
if something goes astray and they have an issue while
they're taking risks that you know, we need to be
there taking a little bit more of a safer approach
(04:05):
to ensure that we we can pick up those points
if we have to. So, yeah, it's a different approach,
but I must say, you know, our approach and mindset
is very different to eight years ago when you were
young and ambitious. Nowadays it's a little bit about being
a little bit older and wiser. And I guess looking
at the big picture.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
When do you get into the car for the first
time and how much has it changed since last time
you peddled one of these top cars.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Well, I'm beout to tell you that probably more after
I've driven one for the first time. Yeah, that's going
to be one of the biggest challenges. We get one
day attesting before Monte Carlo and it's it, And that's
just the way the rules are. Unfortunately, so very little
time in the car. I had a seat fit in
Germany this week, and yeah, the cars are completely different
to what we drove. They're obviously space frame now, probably
(04:48):
more powerful, probably got less ero, just the way the
suspension everything's working is quite different now, so yeah, we
have to adapt very quickly. I'm not going to sit
around and complain about it. That is what it is.
And you know, at the end of the day, we
weren't going to say no to this sort of opportunity.
So you've got to make the most of the situation.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
You've been guaranteed how many rallies? I think you're doing
a third share? Aren't you in this third car?
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Oh? Yeah, so three drivers are sharing that third seat.
So to begin with we'll be doing probably around three
rallies and then after that reassess and then hopefully maybe
some more later in the year. But we have to
do the best we got. Our first events that we're
doing are not potentially what you'd call strong events for us,
But as I say, that's the cards that were dealt
and we're very fortunately even have the opportunities and.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
You touch on them before, Hayden. Long term, look, you'd
like to get a new Zealand based team in the
World Rally Champs, fantastic, But with this team running in
the top team, is there a chance that maybe you'll
get a sole driver, you get a major seat.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Well, the sport's gone through a major transformation for twenty
twenty seven. It's a whole new rule set for the cars,
and it's even going to change the way that manufacturers
and teams approach the sport. In terms of it, it's
going to be a lot more accessible. Whether that's going
to encourage or discourage the big manufacturer teams is yet
to be seen. So in some sense, it's actually really
cool that we will be part of it in twenty
(06:07):
twenty six because it is the last year of these
what they call Rally one cars and these cars and monsters,
and we're going to be able to drive them. Before
twenty twenty seven, the cars are going to be slowed
down quite substantially and a lot cheaper as well, so
it'll be a very different wic come twenty seven and
twenty eight.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
Well, let's hope the monster doesn't bite you, Hayden, really
looking forward to it. Go well, and thanks for your time.
Speaker 3 (06:30):
Great Thanks TUSI.
Speaker 1 (06:32):
For more from Sports Talk, listen live to News Talks
they'd be from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast
on iHeartRadio.
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