Sami Pajari
Finland
·
WRC
Key Facts
Nationality
FIN
Date of birth
01.12.2001
Birthplace
Finland
Co-driver
Marko Salminen
First WRC rally
2019, Rally Finland
First WRC stage win
2024, Rally Finland SS9
WRC stage wins
1
Rally1 debut
2024, Rally Finland
Best Rally1 result
4th, Rally Finland 2024
Junior WRC titles
1 (2021)
WRC2 titles
1 (2024)
*WRC2 Open data from 2022 season is included.
About Sami Pajari
Sami Pajari is one of the WRC’s most exciting young talents, steadily climbing the ranks to secure a full-time Rally1 seat with Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Born in Finland, Pajari started rallying in 2016, making his WRC debut three years later at his home event after catching attention in the Finnish National Championship. His rise was rapid - by 2020, he was already fighting at the sharp end of Junior WRC, finishing third overall before clinching the title in 2021.
Instead of immediately moving to WRC2, Pajari took an unconventional route, staying in Junior WRC with a Fiesta Rally3 to refine his speed. The decision paid off, earning him a deal with Toksport WRT in 2022. Making his debut in a Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo at Rally Italia Sardegna, he finished fifth and continued to impress in a handful of WRC2 outings, including his home round in Finland.
A full WRC2 campaign in 2023 brought further success. Pajari secured his first podium in Sweden before storming to victory at Secto Rally Finland, finishing seventh in the championship.
His biggest breakthrough came in 2024. Driving a Printsport-run Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, he dominated WRC2 with four wins, securing the title against strong opposition, including Oliver Solberg, Yohan Rossel and Nikolay Gryazin. Alongside his WRC2 triumph, Pajari also gained Rally1 experience, making appearances at Secto Rally Finland, Rally Chile Bio Bío, and the Central European Rally.
His standout performances earned him a full-time Rally1 seat with Toyota Gazoo Racing for 2025, where he now takes on the WRC’s top class.