SS17-18 : Paddon claims maiden win

Gearchange problems threatened to spoil Paddon’s joy but he held on to win YPF Rally Argentina by 14.3sec in a Hyundai i20 from championship leader Sébastien Ogier. It was the first victory for a New Zealand driver in the WRC’s 43-year history.

Ogier extended his championship lead in a Volkswagen Polo R, the Frenchman finishing the tough four-day gravel rally near Villa Carlos Paz 50.9sec ahead of team-mate Andreas Mikkelsen.

Paddon also won the final live TV Power Stage to claim three bonus points. Team-mate Dani Sordo took two points for second while Ogier claimed the final point in third.