Toyota reacts: Pajari back in Rally1 car / WRC

The Finn will be given the opportunity to continue competing in the highest class of the FIA ​​World Rally Championship after his successful debut at the Finland Rally. Two WRC starts in Chile and the Central European Rally are planned.

The 22-year-old Pajari and his co-driver Enni Mälkönen made a great debut with the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid at his home rally in early August. Pajari nonchalantly drove to his first special stage victory and finished the demanding high-speed rally in an excellent fourth place overall.

He then continued his successful WRC2 campaign, driving the Yaris Rally2 to a third win of the season in difficult conditions at the Acropolis Rally last weekend.

Based on these impressive performances, Toyota management has now decided to give Pajari two new chances to further develop his skills in the top category. Toyota management is thus consistently implementing the strategy of introducing young talents to major motorsports.

The Hotshoe has been nominated for the next World Championship round in Chile (26-29 September) in a Toyota quartet. Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans and Sébastien Ogier will be his teammates on the varied gravel stages in the South American Andes.

Regular driver Takamoto Katsuta is sitting out after recent mixed performances in South America. The 31-year-old will return to the team for the remaining two WRC rallies of the season at the Central Europe Rally and his home event, the Rally Japan. The team continues to give Katsuta and his co-driver Aaron Johnston its full support. After a one-off absence in an intensive and competitive season, Katsuata is set to return for the final events.

At the Central Europe Rally from October 17 to 20, the Toyota team with Evans, Ogier, Katsuta and Pajari will compete on the asphalt roads in the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany.

The Pajari Yaris Rally1 Hybrid with starting number 5 will once again be in a predominantly white livery. This underlines the determination of Toyota Gazoo Racing with its TGR-WRC Challenge program, which has been helping drivers develop their skills and achieve their dreams since the 2015 season. Its participation in the Central Europe Rally was also arranged in cooperation with the WRC promoter. The aim is to jointly support proven talents from the support categories so that they can finally take the final step into the premier class.

Toyota team boss Jari-Matti Latvala explained the decision: “After the great performance that Sami Pajari showed at Rally Finland, we just wanted to see more of what he can do in a Rally1 car.” The main goal in Finland was to gain experience. He has already shown his high potential. Now in Greece he has again shown the high level at which he drives with the Rally2 car. As we want to continue to invest in talented young drivers for the future, it is important to learn more about Sami’s abilities. First on various gravel roads on the other side of the world in Chile and then on asphalt in Central Europe. He will drive the fourth car, so there is no pressure on him also with regard to the Manufacturers’ World Championship. It has been a tough season for Taka, but he still has the full support of the team. All of us know that he has the speed. With this break he has the opportunity to regenerate and prepare optimally for the last two events. Both events will be very important, especially the Rally Japan. We hope that he can fight for the podium places again at his home race.

Commenting on the nomination, Sami Pajari said:
“It’s fantastic to have the chance to drive the Yaris Rally1 in two more events this season.” It’s really nice to know that Toyota has put that faith in me again. Rally Finland was like a dream come true for me. After that, of course, I wanted to continue driving a Rally1 car. But I didn’t really expect the opportunity to come again so soon. I’m really looking forward to Rally Chile. The gravel roads are mostly flowing and fast and a bit like the track in Finland. Central Europe can be even more demanding considering how wet and muddy it was there last year. For me, it will be the first time on asphalt in a Rally1 car in a WRC event. It will be quite a challenge, but of course I’m happy to take it on.”