WRC
Pajari: “No time to relax” despite WRC podium streak
Sami Pajari says there is still “no time to relax” despite extending his breakthrough FIA World Rally Championship podium run at Rally Islas Canarias.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing driver finished third in Gran Canaria, securing his fourth consecutive top-three result and strengthening his position near the front of the drivers’ championship.
But while Pajari was pleased to continue his impressive run of form, the Finn admitted there were still moments across the weekend where he felt time was slipping away.
“First of all, I should always be happy and satisfied when we can be on the podium, especially taking four podiums in a row,” said Pajari. “It’s still something really unique for me personally.
“Who really would have thought we would have had a start like this to the season? So I’m super happy for that.
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“But at the same time, once again, we saw that the pace can be at a really top level. There were some really good stages, and especially some really good sections.
“But there were also some places here and there where we were always losing time, just a little bit. On this rally, you notice it so easily when the margins are so tight.”
Pajari’s Canarias podium followed previous top-three finishes in Sweden, Kenya and Croatia, underlining a level of consistency that has quickly made him one of the standout performers of the opening part of the season.
Even so, he said the small gaps to the leading pace show there is still work to do.
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“We need to keep on working,” he added. “There is no time to really relax. But of course, it’s nice to see that the result is once again good, and it gives some confidence.”
Canarias also continued Pajari’s strong recent form on asphalt. The 24-year-old said the feeling aboard his GR Yaris Rally1 had improved further on Tarmac, giving him encouragement for FORUM Rally Japan next month, where he scored his first WRC podium last year.
“I really hope so, especially after last year,” he said when asked whether more asphalt speed could follow in Japan. “I have a really nice memory from Japan last year, with the first podium there.
“I really hope we can have great pace once again. I must say that the car has been really nice to drive recently on Tarmac, so I’ve been enjoying it exceptionally a lot.”
Before then, Pajari’s focus turns to next week’s Vodafone Rally de Portugal, where his strong championship position will bring a new challenge on gravel.
“For the first time for me, we are more near the front with the start order,” he explained. “Third on the road can be more challenging.
“I don’t want to already complain, but it’s something new for me. Especially, for example, Seb [Ogier] and Dani [Sordo] will be further behind on the road, and they are normally really tricky to challenge.
“Maybe this time it can be even more tricky if they have some advantage from the road position.”
Pajari sits third in the drivers’ standings after five rounds and is part of a tightly packed title picture heading into Portugal.
“It’s really cool how the differences are actually really small this time,” he said. “The front is really, really narrow at the moment.
“I think it’s really exciting, of course for me as well, but also for the fans.”
