Sounds more and more like he wanted some larger package than just one rally. Can't see why they would pick Breen over him if he agreed on a one rally deal tbh.
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Sounds more and more like he wanted some larger package than just one rally. Can't see why they would pick Breen over him if he agreed on a one rally deal tbh.
He wasn’t considered...
Enough for me to understand.
You'd think something has gone horribly wrong between Paddon and the team in the last year(s)... Although Breen is a very good driver, obviously, I think Paddon would be the most logical choice.
Or Hyundai playing the long game and eyeing potential drivers for next season
My view on the topic is it is all on Neuville, he is the driving leader, he is the one who needs the support from the other drivers, the relationship between Paddon and Neuville has never been good since was it 2015 with the issue when Neuville had his off whilst fighting with Paddon which later turned out to be a technical issue and Paddon made some end-stage comments.
Neuville would have preferred Breen which is somewhat backed up by the Tweet on the Hyundai page in congratulations which would never happen in the case of Paddon getting the drive.
The question now is can Paddon take a drive with another manufacturer whilst maintaining his connection with Hyundai in NZ or are/is he willing to put them on hold for a bit. Paddon's manager is his dad I believe so it will be a different style of negotiating I would suspect which may not be as in your face as others.
I just can't see a good outcome for Hayden any-which-way, he is fast but not Ott/Neuville/Ogier, he is still underdone on Tarmak, and he is from an unknown little country miles away, he has not enough currency to come to the door and kick the door down at another manufacturer like you need you when are out of the seat circle.
Gutted for the bloke as he, he is the nicest guy and has a lot to give.
Copied from Paddon's facebook post today:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hayden Paddon
Well spoken and relatively diplomatic post, kudos to him for calling out Hyundai while still remaining civil.
It's awfully unfortunate that he was hung out to dry in such a fashion. A lot of wasted potential in him. I hope Hyundai get their act together now, and don't retaliate because Paddon got upset.
Personally I believe his loyalty to the brand is completely misplaced and he shouldn’t limit his options both now and in the future to one brand, he models himself on possum Bourne who stayed with Subaru, but then possum wasn’t dumped by Subaru ... but that’s his choice.
My take on this is that both Neuville and Mikkelsen don’t get on with Hayden, not because he’s a bad bloke but Hayden does better than Mikkelsen and Neuville wants to protect Mikkelsen as they are friends so I believe Neuville may have a veto in the process. If so, he will never get a drive there.
As a long term paddon fan he needs to pick up the phone and annoy tommi right now saying he wants to rub Hyundai’s nose in it next year. That’s what a driver who wants to win would do.
If he stays “loyal” to the brand then he will be stuck back in Cromwell tinkering I’m afraid.