Three for one: Sordo, Lappi and Paddon to replace Tänak at Hyundai in 2026

Shortly before the Saudi Arabia Rally, the last round of the 2025 calendar, Ott Tänak had announced his decision not to participate in the next championship, with his future in the WRC, or in competitions in general, still unclear. A choice which has consequently forced Hyundai to find a replacement for 2026 to join the reconfirmed Thierry Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux. The official announcement from the Korean company arrived in the first weekend of December, with a statement that shattered expectations: in fact, three drivers will take turns at the wheel of the next i20 N. The biggest surprise is the return of New Zealander Hayden Paddon, winner of the ERC championships in 2023 and 2024. Having climbed to the top step of the podium for the last time in the world championship in Argentina in 2016, Paddon will make his return to the WRC already in Monte Carlo after his last participation in 2018: “I am very excited to return with Hyundai Motorsport eight years after our last event together in the WRC – commented the person who will navigator John Kennard – Hyundai is a brand that I am very proud of and have been loyal to for 12 years, and now being able to get into a Rally1 car is really exciting: Our expectations are clear: to do our best to support Hyundai, Thierry and Adrien in their respective championships, and make sure we collect as many points as possible for the constructors’ championship at the end of the weekend. I feel like a very different driver than I did eight years ago, and the experience I have gained around the world in different championships puts me in a good position to do so. be able to make the most of it.” After a short period away from the WRC, however, two other drivers from the Hyundai family will see each other again part-time: the Spaniard Dani Sordo, returning after participating in the Portuguese championship, and above all the Finn Esapekka Lappi, whose future in the WRC now seemed compromised. “After a year spent in the Portuguese Rally Championship, I am very happy to return to the Hyundai i20 N Rally1 for 2026 – explained Sordo, ready for his return in April in the Canary Rally – Cándido (Carrena, his co-driver) and I had a very strong season with the Hyundai i20 N Rally2, culminating in the Portuguese title, which was a fantastic result for us. We look forward to carrying this momentum into next year, and I am confident that we will be a competitive package. I look forward to working with the team again and supporting Thierry and Adrien in the fight for the championship.” Also excited for his return is Lappi, who will make his debut at the Swedish Rally (won in 2024) together with his co-driver Enni Malkonen: “I thought I was done with the WRC, but after numerous discussions with various people, I understood that it was an excellent idea – he commented – I continued to compete in the Finnish Championship, which was a lot of fun, but the call from Cyril (Abiteboul, ed.) surprised me and brought me back. I’m as excited as a child at the idea of getting back behind the wheel of a Rally1, this time with Enni, which represents a wonderful new opportunity for her. My victory at Rally Sweden in 2024 is a great motivation for our goals for 2026, and I can’t wait to get started.”