Persistence and rapid improvement have paid off for Hayden Paddon after sealing a three-year deal with Hyundai.

Kiwi rally ace Hayden Paddon is ecstatic after nailing down the multi-year deal he had been chasing with Hyundai.

Hyundai Motorsport has signed Paddon to a new three-year contract which will see the him remain with the team until 2018

Paddon will also contest all rounds of the World Rally Championship (WRC) from the 2016 Rally Monte Carlo alongside Thierry Neuville and Dani Sordo.

The 28-year-old has shown his potential with some excellent results this season including a second place finish in Sardinia and is continuing to shown significant improvements.

He will join Hyundai No 1 team for Rally Wales GB as the team chase second place in the manufacturers' championship.

Paddon initially joined Hyundai Motorsport for a six-rally campaign in 2014 and has been running an expanded programme of 12 events this season.

Co-driver John Kennard of Blenheim will stay with Paddon.

Most impressively, he has also shown a significant rate of progression from each rally to the next, and has five top-five results to his name this season.



SECURITY

Paddon said he was very excited to sign with Hyundai Motorsport for a further three years.

"It's amazing to have the security of the next few years in which time we aim to be at the top," he said.

"It also means the pressure of performing for a job is less and can focus more on preparation, driving faster and achieving better results.

"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."

Paddon said the past two seasons had been a fantastic journey and he had grown a lot.

"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."

Team principal Michel Nandan said he was delighted to have extended their partnership with Paddon.

"Since he joined the team early last year, he has proven to be a worthy addition to our young team.

"He is consistent, quick and determined and with even more potential for growth."

Hyundai have not said what ranking the three drivers will have next season.

Paddon said it was a "no brainer" to continue with Hyundai Motorsport.

"Firstly they had the faith in us to give us the opportunity to drive the unplanned third car in 2014," he said.

"The whole time they have helped me no ends to develop as a driver and as a team we have gelled like a family and every one of the 200 people in the factory are as dedicated to win.

"Rallying is a huge team sport and everyone's role is just as important as one another. I just feel I'm lucky to have the most exciting job."

The good news came ahead of this weekend's Rally of Spain.

Paddon said it was an event he really enjoyed and where he scored his first stage win last year.

He will be pushing for a good result on the gravel on Friday before two days on tarmac.