Motorsport: Paddon's focus on survival

Kiwi driver Hayden Paddon will be looking for plenty of clear air at WRC Sardinia, just as he did in Portugal. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwi rally driver Hayden Paddon is focused on surviving a tough opening day at WRC Sardinia tomorrow.

Rough road conditions and hot weather will see a demanding event greet drivers on the Italian island in the Mediterranean.

Paddon's plan is simply to get through the four stages of 125km of high-speed rallying on the sun-baked, dusty roads on the opening day.

"I think what we've learned this year is that too often we have put ourselves in a bad position on Friday when we have had problems or something has gone wrong and that jeopardises the rest of your rally once everything gets re-seeded come Saturday and Sunday," the Hyundai works driver told the Herald.

"For me, the focus is a really clean Friday, nothing spectacular. If we can stay in the hunt then Saturday and Sunday are the days you can do the damage."

After a horror start to the season Paddon showed some speed in the last event in Portugal.

Although an electrical problem cost him any chance of banking points, he was able to set a number of fastest stage times and appeared to finally be at one with his 2017 spec Hyundai.

The bounce is clearly back in his step and he hopes to continue that with a big result at a venue where he has had plenty of success in the past.

"I have a lot of good memories here," the 30-year-old said.

"It is where we first started with Hyundai Motorsport three years ago and we got our first podium here in 2015, so some happy memories.

"I think this year's rally is looking particularly challenging. It seems to be a bit rougher than what we have seen in the past. It is going to be very warm and hot - early 30s - so it will be very challenging in the car for sure.

"It is not going to be a rally that is won by outright speed. It is going to be about being clever, looking after the car, avoiding punctures. I think that is going to play a big role here."

Continuing where he left off in Portugal, could be key, Paddon said.

"If we can have a clean rally and pick up on that performance in Portugal then a good result is quite possible. Portugal was definitely a step in the right direction. Obviously it wasn't reflected in the result which is what we are now trying to chase."