Hayden Paddon seeks more Hyundai WRC Rally1 starts after Rally Japan

Paddon's return to the WRC top tier after a six-year absence was always framed as a conditional arrangement, so the fact he's publicly stating the terms were met shifts the pressure back to Hyundai to follow through. The gravel angle matters because asphalt and gravel demand different setups and driving styles — a driver returning after years away needs both surfaces to be genuinely competitive again, not just present. His co-sharing of the third factory entry with Sordo and Lappi already signals Hyundai is managing limited seat time carefully, which makes any additional commitment a deliberate choice rather than a default. How Hyundai responds will say as much about their 2025 driver planning as it does about Paddon's standing within the team.