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WRC Rally Portugal start for Marshall with Hyundai's Paddon

Sebastian Marshall will make an early debut as Hayden Paddon's World Rally Championship co-driver, joining the Hyundai pilot for Rally Portugal.

Marshall is scheduled to join the Kiwi full-time from August's Rally Germany, but an aggravated hip injury has forced Paddon's regular navigator John Kennard onto the bench for the event later this month.

In a statement, Hyundai said Kennard's existing hip condition was worsened by stages in Argentina last month, and that he has been advised to rest to avoid further damage.

Kennard will return for the following round in Sardinia and continue until Rally Finland in July.

Ahead of the mid-season switch, Marshall has already been working with Paddon and Kennard.

That includes carrying out the bulk of testing work, and the Briton is currently testing with Paddon in Sardinia.

"This is a tough one for John," Marshall told Autosport.

"I've been there with an injury and it's difficult to step out of the car, but he's such a competitive fella, he'll be back for Sardinia.

"From my point of view, it means my first WRC event with Hayden comes earlier than expected and that's really exciting for me.

"I've done Portugal a few times and it's an event I enjoy and it's a rewarding one for the co-driver."

Marshall and Paddon have already competed together, finishing second on the Sanremo Rally in an i20 R5 in March.

Zdroj: autosport.com