Motorsport: Hayden Paddon on podium in Australia

Seb Marshall and Hayden Paddon(right). Photo / Helena El Mokni

Hayden Paddon enhanced his prospects of retaining a drive in the WRC next season by clinching second spot at Rally Australia.

The Kiwi won one of yesterday's six stages to go with his two stage victories on Saturday, finishing 32.5s behind winner Jari-Matti Latvala.

That helped Paddon finish eighth overall despite contesting just seven of the 13 WRC rounds. Second in Australia was his best result this season, following a third in Turkey, two fourths and a fifth.

Asked about the possibility of him being Hyundai's third driver next year, Paddon replied: "Your guess is as good as mine. I certainly hope so and hopefully this helps."

"I'm really happy obviously with a good weekend. We were able to be competitive from the start to the finish. It's good to release a bit of pressure and go back to basics this weekend and drive and do what we know we can do and deliver a result like that.

"Each year for the last five years, we've gone one place better, so that bodes well for next year, if we can get back here.

"Obviously it's a nice way to finish the year and a nice confidence booster. But at the end of the day, I think we've been driving reasonably well all year.

"I felt pretty good with our driving this year. I felt calm and confident. Hopefully that will carry through to next year as well."

Sebastien Ogier claimed a sixth WRC title after championship rivals Thierry Neuville and Ott Tanak both crashed out yesterday.