Hayden Paddon will continue to be navigated in the World Rally Championship by Sebastian Marshall as injury hastens the retirement of outgoing co-driver John Kennard.
Marshall filled in for Kennard during the recent Rally de Portugal (May 18-21) due to the latter picking up a hip injury, and was scheduled to take over on a permanent basis from Rallye Deutschland.
As such, Kennard was to return to passenger seat for Rally Italy (June 8-11), Rally Poland (June 29-July 2), and the conclusion of his competitive career at Rally Finland (July 27-30).
However, the New Zealander continues to suffer the effects of the injury and would not be fit for the next event in Sardegna, Italy.
The team has announced a mutually-agreed decision to continue with Marshall indefinitely, effectively bringing down the curtain on Kennard’s time at the top level of the sport.
“Unfortunately, my hip’s condition still won’t allow me to take on the rough gravel of Sardinia and while I’d dearly love to get back in the car to finish my WRC career with Hayden in Poland and Finland, it really wouldn’t make any sense,” lamented Kennard.
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The Kiwi pair will continue to work together, however, with Kennard taking on an off-track role with the Hyundai Motorsport WRC team, as well as co-driving for Paddon again in a cameo in the New Zealand Rally Championship.
“It’s not an easy decision, but it’s something we all feel is best for the future and something that John is very supportive of and recommends himself,” said Paddon.
“Even though he won’t be in the car, John continues to play an important role in our World Rally Championship programme.
“John will be at all WRC events this year, supporting us on the gravel rallies and helping us as our gravel crew on the tarmac rallies.
“I’m very pleased that John will co-drive for me when we’re back in New Zealand contesting the Coromandel round of the New Zealand Rally Championship (Round 4, August 26) in our Hyundai i20 AP4+ car.”
Paddon was plagued by a litany of technical issues as Marshall joined him for Rally de Portugal, but did finally manage to win two stages on the final day.
He will team up with his new British co-driver again when the World Rally Championship resumes next month.
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