New Zealand driver Hayden Paddon says he's pleased just to have finished the bruising German Rally.
Hayden Paddon in flight in Germany Photo: photosport
Estonian Ott Tanak won the rally for Ford ahead of Citroen's Norwegian Andreas Mikkelsen.
Sebastien Ogier, the reigning world champion, finished 14 seconds behind in third place to reclaim the top spot in the overal championship standings.
Paddon said he was pleased to get through with no mistakes to secure eighth place.
Paddon and co-driver Seb Marshall wrapped up the final four stages with a trio of top 10 times plus one second-quickest time.
Having suffered two punctures over the weekend which cost them time on both Friday and Saturday, the pair kept pushing to be rewarded with some top-three times over the three days that took them through narrow vineyard stages on Friday, bumpy, grip-changing Baumholder military roads on Saturday and fast country roads on Sunday.
"When conditions were more consistent, we showed some improvement in performance compared to last year, so there are some positives to take away from this tough weekend."
"I knew this would be one of the hardest rallies of the season, so I am pleased that we made it to the end, and showing better stage times."
''I am going back home to NZ for a month, during which I will also take part in a few gravel rallies, so I am looking forward to that.
"Then, it's back to Europe when we will begin our push for a good result to finish the season."
