Pajari and co-driver Enni Mälkönen tested the factory Yaris for the first time before last week’s Tet Rally Latvia and now can’t wait to get behind the wheel in competition for the first time.
The youngster said: “Competing in a Rally1 car has been the dream for a really long time and also kind of the plan for many years when we have been building the career, so it’s like a really nice big benchmark. It feels just really, really nice and exciting.”
Talking about the test, he added: “The first feeling is like, the car is quite easy to drive until some point, but, of course, to really be able to use the full potential of the car [is not so easy]. It’s just more advanced in in almost every way than Rally2 car, so you can basically brake later into the corners, it accelerates better, you can carry more speed through the corners. Just to get used to it, and really properly to use the potential, it won’t be so easy.
Fri 26 Jul 2024
Pajari cool on Finland expectations
Sami Pajari has described his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 debut at next week’s Secto Rally Finland as a dream come true – but the Finn’s not putting any pressure on himself with a focus very much on finishing the event.
“I would just like to reach the finish and gain the full experience from the event. And in that way, to get better and prepare for the future. Of course, no one can expect something that you will really be fighting for the win on the first event. If we can do a solid event and have a good feeling and good flow in the car and enjoy the event, I think the times will get better.
“I would say I’m just trying to enjoy and have good fun and have a have a good flow.”
Pajari has shared photos of the GR Yaris Rally1 he will drive next week (above, top). It features an ice-cool white livery, while the similar cars of Kalle Rovanperä and Sébastien Ogier will both sport limited edition colour schemes (above).
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