The New Zealand driver Hayden Paddon says his fourth place at the World Rally Championship's Rally of Poland felt as good as a podium finish.
Hayden Paddon, Poland, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
France's Sebastien Ogier won the event, with his Volkswagen team-mate Andreas Mikkelsen of Norway second and Ford's Estonian driver Ott Taenak third.
The 28-year-old Paddon was the highest placed Hyundai driver.
Paddon had been aiming for a top five finish in Poland following a career best second place result in the previous round in Italy and says it's nice to achieve his goal.
"To finish fourth is exactly what we were aiming for and to come away with a top five result is very pleasing following on from what we did in Sardinia [the previous round in Italy] and it confirms in quite contrasting conditions that we can be competitive up front and gives us even more confidence moving forward."
Paddon finished in the top five on most stages in Poland and recorded several top three times.
Next up for Paddon is the Rally of Finland, which starts at the end of the month.
It's also the WRC event Paddon has the most experience in, having competed there five times before, so the aim will be for another top five performance.
