14 Feb 2016

Paddon second behind Ogier

7:57 am on 14 February 2016

Geraldine rally driver Hayden Paddon has closed the gap on the world champion Sébastien Ogier at the Rally of Sweden to just under 16 seconds, heading into the final day.

Hayden Paddon gets some air at WRC Sweden

Hayden Paddon gets some air at WRC Sweden Photo: Timo Anis

Paddon had closed to within 8.8 seconds of Ogier but the French star then extended his lead to 15.9 seconds after winning the second pass through the Vargäsen stage on Saturday afternoon.

Ogier created some breathing space for himself with just the super special stage around Karlstad trotting track and the live TV Power Stage remaining.

Paddon may have settled for second in his new Hyundai.

"It's about maintaining my position now," Paddon said.

"We went into this stage 10 seconds behind Ogier and that's like a minute to anyone else. We need to be smart. We struggled a bit in there, I think we used our studs in the stage before."

The Geraldine driver won two stages on Friday and is set for his second career podium finish.