22-year-old Finnish super-promising Sami Pajari gets top equipment. Speculations went wild in some places last year.
Sami Pajar’s journey towards the top of the rally world is progressing on schedule. Jenni Gästgivar
Sami Pajari will compete in the 2024 season with Toyota. The 22-year-old Finnish prospect of the future of rally gets the coveted Yaris Rally 2 car.
It’s not shocking news. There was strong speculation about Pajar jumping at the wheel of Yaris in the second half of 2023.
Too early, Pajari says now that everything is official.
– It was fun to follow the speculations about me when you knew the real side of things. My name was associated with Toyota at a very early stage, although in reality the matter was only agreed upon at the end of the year, says Pajari.
The rumors mostly made me smile.
– For example, at the time of the Jyväskylä rally, my Toyota contract was considered completely secure. In reality, not a word had been spoken about it then, Pajari laughs.
Reasonable goals
Potter and map reader Enni Mälkönen so they drive a Toyota, but in the ranks of the Finnish Printsport Racing.
The main goal of Pajar, who is building his way towards the top of the rally world, is in the WRC2 class.
– The season starts in Monte Carlo. The rest of the program will be detailed later. The Swedish and Finnish rallies will be run, the other rallies will be looked at in more detail.
Considered to be our next rally star, Pajari has progressed step by step closer to the top of the rally world.
One could imagine that the only goal for the upcoming season would be the WRC2 class championship. However, Pajari does not want to cement any goal for himself.
– Of course, we always go for the win. But what is my final ranking at the end of the season is not relevant for this year.
After saying this, Pajari thinks about what he said for a moment. He doesn’t want to create the impression that he doesn’t want to succeed.
– The season can be successful, even if there is no championship, Pajari reminds.
Of course, the 2021 Rally Junior World Champion would have nothing against victories and the championship.
– It’s clear that at this stage, it’s no longer just about gaining experience. The purpose is to drive as well as possible and thereby achieve top results.
No pressure
Pajari is very excited about the upcoming season. Jenni Gästgivar
Toyota’s Rally2 car is currently the hottest potato in the rally world. The new rally cannon, honed for a long time and with devotion by the Japanese car giant, is a sought-after go-to game.
Pajari got to experience the car for the first time in December in France.
– The car felt really good. The test days left a good feeling. The whole thing seemed really good, Pajari describes.
Toyota has been a strong factor in the World Rally Championship throughout its history. The current period started in 2017. In addition to the main class, Toyota is also a competitor in Rally2 from this season.
– It’s a great thing that Toyota is heavily involved in rally activities. It interests not only the fans, but also us drivers, commented Pajari.
Everyone driving Rally2-Yari in the upcoming season will surely have one thing tickling the back of their mind: The opportunity to drive the Japanese brand’s Rally1-Yari.
Pajaria too. But he wants to defuse the situation.
– Yes, of course now I have a Toyota under me. But the team is Printsport Racing. This contract of mine does not really mean that I will immediately get the opportunity to try the Rally1 car, says Pajari.
– Even though such a thing has already been reported, the driver’s promise that follows the news is laughable.
Pajari does not take any schedule pressure from his first Rally1 experience.
– You can’t set it as a goal. It would be the same if you set your goal to win the lottery, Pajari compares.
Head of the queue
Only 21 years old, Pajari has already shown the rally world his driving skills. Jenni Gästgivar
However, Pajari does not deny that he would like to get behind the wheel of a Rally1 car. However, it has not yet happened, and there has been no talk of such a thing.
– Even though Toyota’s factory team is managed by Finns and the headquarters is in Jyväskylä, I have taken care of my affairs with Printsport, Pajari reminds.
Pajari knows the spirit of the game. A place at Toyota or other factory garages only opens up for one thing.
– No matter what car you drive, you have to be able to drive good results and constantly improve. Those are things that can bring that factory location in the future, says Pajari.
Time is on the side of the 22-year-old rally driver.
– There are currently limited driving places in the World Championship. But at some point the old guard gives way. I’m not going to guess whether it will happen in a year or five years. But when it happens and team places are distributed, you have to be at the top of the list, says Pajari.