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Paddon’s podium relief

Hayden Paddon's first podium for 12 months in Poland last weekend ended a nightmare period for the Kiwi.

Second behind Hyundai i20 team-mate Thierry Neuville at Orlen 74th Rally Poland was his first top three finish since the same event last year, and his best result since his maiden WRC win in Argentina in April 2016.

Paddon admitted the result, which helped Hyundai Motorsport close the gap on leaders M-Sport World Rally Team to 22 points in the manufacturers' standings, released the pressure on him.

"It has been 12 months since my last podium and that's a long time. Many, many things have gone wrong for us and this is more a relief than anything," Paddon told wrc.com.

"This has been the hardest period in my life both professionally and personally. It has been a real battle this year and this releases the valve a little bit."

Paddon's lowly road position on Friday disadvantaged him compared to the early starters in the wet and muddy conditions and he felt it would ruin his chances of a strong finish.

Zdroj: wrc.com