Geraldine driver Hayden Paddon has secured his future on the World Rally circuit after signing a new three-year deal with Hyundai Motorsport.
The deal will mean that he will race in all rounds of the World Rally Championship from 2016.
Paddon, who initially joined Hyundai Motorsport for a six-rally campaign in 2014 and has been running an expanded programme of 12 WRC events this season, will step up to a full time role from the Monte-Carlo event in January.
The 28-year-old was identified as a rising star in the rally world early in Hyundai Motorsport's WRC programme.
Having made his debut with Hyundai in Italy June last year year and at the the same event 12 months later, Paddon led a WRC event for the first time and claimed his maiden WRC podium.
Haydon Paddon at this year's Rally of Australia. Photo: Vettas Media
"I am very excited to sign with Hyundai Motorsport for a further three years. The past two seasons have been an amazing journey and we have grown a lot," said Paddon.
"The team has helped me to develop and based on the rate that we have progressed together I have no doubt we will be winning soon. We are all working and striving towards becoming World Champions and I firmly believe Hyundai Motorsport will offer me the best opportunity to achieve that goal."
"First and foremost, though, we must target our first rally victory and that is my personal target for 2016," Paddon said.
Team principal Michel Nandan said Paddon has proven to be a worthy addition since he joined their young team.
"He is consistent, quick and determined and with even more potential for growth.
"From the start of our WRC programme, we have wanted to support fresh, young talent and Hayden has shown just how successful this can be," Nandan said.
