Hayden Paddon is down but — as far as he is concerned — not out.
Paddon announced yesterday he did not have a drive in the WRC next season after his Hyundai team signed French driver Sebastien Loeb for the season.
In a statement yesterday, Paddon said there was no WRC next year for him and his team.
He had had many discussions with the Hyundai team over the past few months but they had not come to fruition.
He was offered one rally ride in the next season but that was just not suitable. He did everything asked of him this year for his team.
Paddon said he had been honest and loyal throughout the process and was disappointed it had ended up this way.It was just the reality of professional sport. Other opportunities had been looked at but the reality was there were only eight to 10 rides in the WRC, so it was very hard to get a drive.
He said it was just a small bump in the road and he would be back in there again to take on the world.
"It is one step back and two forward."
