He is the first to admit that ''the black stuff is not [his] preferred surface'' but he sees it as an opportunity to learn and develop for the future.
To get his driving style back into tarmac mode, Paddon had some ''very cool'' preparation.
He spent a day in a 600hp GT car on a race track in the South of France to further develop his technique, with the help of French asphalt-specialist rally driver Nicholas Bernadi.
''I have to be realistic and open-minded to learn. I have competed in something like 150 gravel rallies in my life and maybe only seven tarmac rallies.
''It does require a different driving style and technique and this is something I need to adapt to,'' Paddon said.
The Friday to Sunday running of Rallye Deutschland represents the fourth time
Paddon and co-driver John Kennard have competed in what is regarded as the most difficult asphalt event of the season.
Paddon described the event as like three rallies in one.
''With the stages varying from narrow vineyard lanes, fast public roads and the bumpy Panzerplatte military area, as well as localised weather generally playing a part, there are lots of challenges to be wary of,'' he said.
Based in the city of Trier in west Germany, Rallye Deutschland features 306km of competitive action over 18 stages.
Paddon and Kennard compete under the Hyundai Mobis World Rally Team banner in the #20 Hyundai NG i20 WRC, while team-mates Thierry Neuville in the #3 car and Dani Sordo, who returns after an injury lay-off in the #4 car, are competing for the Hyundai Shell World Rally Team.
Neuville and Sordo created a historic one-two finish for Hyundai Motorsport at Rallye Deutschland in 2014 and the team are looking to revive this form at their home event just two hours from their headquarters in Alzenau.
