Hyundai World Rally Championship driver Hayden Paddon has announced that he will change co-drivers from Rally Germany onwards.
Following a 12-year partnership with John Kennard, Paddon confirmed that his current co-driver will step down later in the season.
Kennard’s final event with Paddon and Hyundai will be Rally Finland in July, with Britain’s Sebastian Marshall replacing him.
Marshall was co-driver for Australian champion Molly Taylor before partnering up with Kevin Abbring in the European Championship in 2014.
They both joined Hyundai in 2015, although Marshall stepped down as his co-driver at the start of the current season. He has been working with Paddon during testing ahead of his debut as the New Zealander’s co-driver.
Paddon and Marshall will compete together for the first time at the Sanremo Rally at the end of this month, driving a Hyundai R5 i20.
Happy to announce that @sebmarshall will step into the codrivers seat from Rally Germany onwards. It is fantastic to have Seb onboard. pic.twitter.com/GDnpy5IU0l
— Hayden Paddon (@HaydenPaddon) March 15, 2017
"After 12 years, a very difficult decision has been made that John Kennard will step down as co-driver after Rally Finland,” Paddon announced on social media.
“With an eye towards the future we have always known that a change would have to happen at some point John will continue to help/involved.
“John has committed his whole life to rallying – [it] is a tribute to what he has achieved at many different levels. A true legend of rallying.”
