Argentina WRC: Paddon secures maiden victory with stunning Power Stage win
Hayden Paddon wrapped up the first WRC victory of his career after topping Rally Argentina's Power Stage by 11.2s.
Photo by: Hyundai Motorsport
Having started the day with a lead of half a minute, Paddon saw his lead shrink to 2.6s after the two Sunday morning stages.
However, the Kiwi driver was untouchable in the final stage of the rally, easily beating Dani Sordo's benchmark with Ogier only managing third and one extra point.
"No words, I gave that stage absolutely everything," Paddon said after the stage.
"Unbelievable, I can’t describe it. All that homework has paid off. I didn’t think we had a chance - in the past the tight, twisty stuff hasn’t been my strength."
Andreas Mikkelsen completed the podium ahead of Sordo, who salvaged two extra points by taking second in the Power Stage.
Mads Ostberg took his 18th consecutive point-scoring result in fifth with Thierry Neuville recovering from his Friday issues to take sixth.
Local driver Marcos Ligato, Rally Argentina debutant Eric Camilli and Henning Solberg were seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.
Jari-Matti Latvala stopped for repairs at halfway through the stage and failed to secure 10th overall, which went to WRC2 winner Nicholas Fuchs instead.
Full results:
| Pos. | Driver / Co-Driver | Car | Time/Delay |
| 1 |
|
Hyundai | 3h40m52.9s |
| 2 |
|
VW | 14.3s |
| 3 |
|
VW | 1m05.2s |
| 4 |  Dani Sordo
|
Hyundai | 1m17.1s |
| 5 |
|
Ford | 4m56.7s |
| 6 |
|
Hyundai | 9m29.5s |
| 7 |
|
Citroen | 9m39.2s |
| 8 |
|
Ford | 10m16.0s |
| 9 |
|
Ford | 10m48.5s |
| 10 |
|
Skoda | 24m42.8s |
Hayden Paddon
Sebastien Ogier
Andreas Mikkelsen
Thierry Neuville
Marcos Ligato
Ilka Minor
Nicholas FuchsBe part of Motorsport community
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