Paddon not restarting in Portugal after a night in hospital because of...

Paddon not restarting in Portugal after a night in hospital because of Friday’s crash

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Hayden Paddon, in his first WRC event since Sweden, held an early lead in Rally Portugal after scoring a stage win in SS2 (Viana do Castelo). He took charge again after SS6. However, a crash in the opening kilometres of SS7 saw the Kiwi driver and his co-driver Seb Marshall forced to retire.

Both members of the crew were able to exit the vehicle on their own accord. Paddon was taken to hospital for precautionary checks after experiencing lower back pain.

“The day was going well, we were driving within ourselves and to our plan. It was a difficult day for everyone and hard to get the tyre choice right. But it was, of course, good to be back on the pace right away. Near the start of SS7, there was a big rock on the inside of the corner, which was concealed. I had to steer out a little for the corner to avoid it, but then the speed was too great and the car ran wide. The problem then was a big culvert on the exit of the corner, which stopped the car instantly. I’m gutted for the team as a good result was possible. For a third year in a row, this stage bites us”, Paddon explained.

Paddon not restarting in Portugal after a night in hospital because of Friday’s crash

Team Principal Michel Nandan added: “It has been a long time since we have seen a day of the World Rally Championship as unpredictable, tough and incident-filled as that [Friday]. Hayden had shown impressive pace but got caught out by a hidden rock in SS7 that ended the rally for him and Seb immediately. They were able to get out of the car on their own but Hayden had some back pain which needed a precautionary check-up at the hospital.”

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