Finn-tastic Return: Pajari back in Rally1 for two events

Toyota GAZOO Racing has confirmed that Pajari, co-driven by Enni Mälkönen, will compete at both Rally Chile Bio Bío (26 – 29 September) and the Central European Rally (17 – 20 October). In Chile, the 22-year-old Finn will replace Takamoto Katsuta, while both drivers will take part in the Central European round.

Pajari’s step up to Rally1 has come after a string of strong performances in a Rally2-specification GR Yaris in WRC2 this season. He turned heads with a one-off top-level outing at Secto Rally Finland, where he claimed a stage win and finished an impressive fifth overall.

His outing at the Central European Rally has been arranged in collaboration with WRC Promoter as part of its efforts to support proven talent from the support categories in making the final step into the top class.

“It is amazing to have this chance to drive the GR Yaris Rally1 HYBRID on two more events this season,” Pajari said. It feels really nice to know that TGR-WRT is putting this trust in me.

“Rally Finland was like a dream come true for me, and after that of course I just wanted to drive a Rally1 car more and more, but I could not have expected that the opportunity would come again so soon. I’m really looking forward to Rally Chile, with some nice gravel roads that are mostly flowing and high-speed, so a bit similar to Finland. Central Europe can be even more demanding given how wet and muddy we saw it can be last year. For my first time in a Rally1 car on asphalt on such a rally, it could be quite a challenge but it’s one that I’m really happy to face, of course.”

Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala believes the two outings will offer valuable insights into Pajari’s potential as the team looks to the future of its driver line-up.

“We wanted to see more of what he can do in a Rally1 car. The main goal in Finland was to gain experience, but he already demonstrated his high potential.

“As we look to invest further in talented young drivers for the future, it’s important to learn more about Sami’s abilities, firstly on some different gravel roads on the other side of the world in Chile, and then on asphalt in Central Europe. He will be driving a fourth car, so there is no pressure upon him to contribute towards the championship. For us it’s more about investing in the future and gaining that experience.

“For Taka [Katsuta], it has been a tough season, but he has the full support of the team and everybody knows that he has the speed. With this break, he has a chance to reset and recharge ready for the last two events which will be important – especially Rally Japan of course, where we hope he can be fighting for the podium places again.”

Pajari recently joined Rally.TV’s Becs Williams in the latest edition of the WRC Backstories podcast. The episode is available to listen to now on Spotify and Apple Music.