Hayden Paddon survived final day mechanical worries to score his first FIA World Rally Championship victory in Argentina on Sunday afternoon.

Gearchange problems threatened to spoil Paddon’s joy but he held on to win YPF Rally Argentina by 14.3sec in a Hyundai i20 from championship leader Sébastien Ogier. It was the first victory for a New Zealand driver in the WRC’s 43-year history.

Ogier extended his championship lead in a Volkswagen Polo R, the Frenchman finishing the tough four-day gravel rally near Villa Carlos Paz 50.9sec ahead of team-mate Andreas Mikkelsen.

Paddon also won the final live TV Power Stage to claim three bonus points. Team-mate Dani Sordo took two points for second while Ogier claimed the final point in third.

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