AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Pajari beats Solberg to become WRC2 champion

Publisher by Publisher
November 24, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Pajari beats Solberg to become WRC2 champion

Sami Pajari (FIN) Enni Mälkönen (FIN) of are seen performing during the World Rally Championship Japan in Toyota city, Japan on 22,November. 2023 // Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202411220738 // Usage for editorial use only //

In a triumphant display of precision and grit, Finland’s Sami Pajari, alongside co-driver Enni Mälkönen, clinched the WRC2 championship with a masterful performance at Rally Japan. At just 22 years old, Pajari’s meteoric rise through the rallying ranks continues, as he fended off fierce competition from Škoda’s Oliver Solberg to seize the crown.

A Season to Remember

Pajari’s journey to glory aboard the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 has been nothing short of spectacular. With standout victories in Sardinia, Poland, and Greece, plus podiums in Sweden, Latvia, and Japan, the Finnish ace amassed 126 championship points – narrowly edging Solberg by three.

For Solberg, a consistent season capped by his efforts in Chile proved just shy of enough to hold off Pajari’s charge. The young Finn’s triumph comes in just his second full season in WRC2, marking him as one of rallying’s brightest stars.

The Pressure of Rally Japan

Heading into Rally Japan, Pajari knew the stakes. To secure the championship, he needed a top-two finish – a high bar, given the challenging terrain and his recent back-to-back outings in a Toyota Rally1 car.

A Friday morning puncture momentarily threatened his title hopes, but Pajari demonstrated remarkable composure. Settling comfortably into second place behind runaway leader Nikolay Gryazin (Citroën), he managed to keep his nearest challenger, Hiroki Arai, at bay. Pajari finished a solid 1m46.5s behind Gryazin but comfortably sealed the championship with his calculated drive.

A Champion’s Words

For Pajari, the moment of victory was one of gratitude and reflection.

“It’s a really, really nice feeling – big relief again,” the new champion said, a grin lighting up his face. “After two days of driving a bit slowly and taking care of everything, OK… arigato to Toyota, Printsport, sponsors, family, everyone, we did it together; it’s not only me and Enni.”

His emotional thanks underscore the team effort behind his success, but Pajari’s talent behind the wheel remains the driving force.

From Junior WRC to WRC2 Legend

Pajari’s WRC2 triumph is historic. He joins the elite ranks of Pontus Tidemand as only the second driver ever to secure both Junior WRC (which he won in 2021) and WRC2 titles. The accomplishment cements his reputation as one of rallying’s most promising talents, with a future that seems destined for the sport’s top tier.

What’s Next for Pajari?

While his plans for 2025 remain unconfirmed, speculation swirls around Pajari’s potential for more Rally1 appearances with Toyota. His impressive performances this season have turned heads, and a step up seems inevitable. As Pajari himself said, “I hope I can drive some rally as well next year… Toyota has been really reliable and fast this year, so I hope to continue on this path.”

A New Era in Rallying

Sami Pajari’s rise to the top marks the dawn of a new era in rallying. With his unwavering focus, incredible skill, and relentless drive, Pajari has shown he’s not just a champion for today – he’s a force to be reckoned with for years to come.

Share224Tweet140Send

Related Posts

Oscar Piastri’s Epic Transformation: Dominating McLaren Rivalry with Masterful Tyre Management
Motorsports

Oscar Piastri’s Epic Transformation: Dominating McLaren Rivalry with Masterful Tyre Management

Unleashing the Beast: Oscar Piastri's Remarkable Transformation into a 2025 F1 Contender Revealed! The Formula 1 world is abuzz with...

by Arthur Ling
May 10, 2025
NASCAR Star William Byron’s iRacing Revelation: A Game-Changer for Future Drivers
Motorsports

NASCAR Star William Byron’s iRacing Revelation: A Game-Changer for Future Drivers

Two-time Daytona 500 champion, William Byron, reveals the groundbreaking use of iRacing as a "tool" for the next generation of...

by Publisher
May 10, 2025
Heartbreak at Darlington: Jeff Gordon’s Empathy Amidst William Byron’s Demise in NASCAR Epic
Motorsports

Jeff Gordon’s Shocking F1 Move: The Game-Changing Decision That Would’ve Altered Racing History

In a shocking revelation, it has been uncovered that NASCAR icon Jeff Gordon was on the brink of potentially making...

by Carl Harrison
May 10, 2025
Shockwaves as Bagnaia Confronts Identity Crisis: Is the 2025 Ducati His Downfall?
Motorsports

Shockwaves as Bagnaia Confronts Identity Crisis: Is the 2025 Ducati His Downfall?

Pecco Bagnaia, the Ducati MotoGP rider, is facing a daunting reality - a fundamental mismatch between his skills and the...

by Carl Smith
May 10, 2025

Recent News

Rede Mobi.E regista 665 mil carregamentos em abril

The Mobi.E network recorded 665,000 charging sessions in April.

May 10, 2025
Audi pode estar a planear vender a Italdesign

Audi may be planning to sell Italdesign.

May 10, 2025
Oscar Piastri’s Epic Transformation: Dominating McLaren Rivalry with Masterful Tyre Management

Oscar Piastri’s Epic Transformation: Dominating McLaren Rivalry with Masterful Tyre Management

May 10, 2025
NASCAR Star William Byron’s iRacing Revelation: A Game-Changer for Future Drivers

NASCAR Star William Byron’s iRacing Revelation: A Game-Changer for Future Drivers

May 10, 2025

Newsletter

    The Instagram Access Token is expired, Go to the Customizer > JNews : Social, Like & View > Instagram Feed Setting, to refresh it.
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks
x