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Toyota Gazoo Racing Bolsters Line-Up with Sami Pajari for 2025 WRC Season

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
January 9, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Toyota Gazoo Racing Bolsters Line-Up with Sami Pajari for 2025 WRC Season

Sami Pajari (FIN) is seen during the World Rally Championship Central Europe in Prague, Czech Republic on October 19, 2024. // Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202410190619 // Usage for editorial use only //

Twenty-four hours after clinching the 2024 WRC2 Championship, Sami Pajari was officially announced as a full-time driver for Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team in 2025. The 22-year-old Finn joins an all-star roster alongside Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans, and Takamoto Katsuta, with Sébastien Ogier set to compete in selected events in a fifth GR Yaris Rally1.

The announcement, made at Toyota’s Nagoya press conference, also introduced Juha Kankkunen—a four-time world champion—as the team’s new Deputy Team Principal, further strengthening Toyota’s WRC operations.


Pajari’s Dream Realized

Pajari’s promotion comes after standout performances in Finland, Chile, and the Central European Rally. His debut in Finland saw him win a stage and secure a remarkable fourth-place finish despite an early setback. Now stepping into a full-time Rally1 role, Pajari expressed his excitement:

“This is a dream come true for me, and I’m really grateful to Toyota Gazoo Racing for this amazing opportunity. It’s been an incredible year in the GR Yaris Rally2 and the Rally1 car. Now the real hard work begins as I push for strong results.”

Pajari’s co-driver for the 2025 season has yet to be announced, following the conclusion of his partnership with Enni Mälkönen.


Katsuta Retains Seat After Uncertain Season

Takamoto Katsuta, who faced a challenging 2024 season, has also been retained. Despite missing a Rally1 outing in Chile earlier this year to accommodate Pajari’s debut, Katsuta reflected on his growth and expressed optimism for 2025:

“It has been a challenging season, and I want to thank the team for their support in tough moments. I’ve shown good speed on most rallies, and my confidence is growing. My goal is to find consistency and chase more podiums next year.”


Rovanperä Eyes Another Title

Returning to full-time competition in 2025, Kalle Rovanperä is eager to pursue his third drivers’ championship in four years. After a partial 2024 season that still delivered rally victories, the Finn is highly motivated:

“This year has been different, driving various cars and still winning rallies. It’s been enjoyable, but I’m ready to focus fully on chasing championships with Jonne [Halttunen] again.”


Youth Development: A Priority for Toyota

The announcement also highlighted Toyota’s ongoing commitment to nurturing young talent through the TGR WRC Challenge Program. Second-generation drivers Hikaru Kogure and Yuki Yamamoto will compete in Rally2 machinery, while third-generation prospects Shotaro Goto and Takumi Matsushita move up to Rally3 cars. The search for the program’s fourth generation of drivers continues, with seven hopefuls set to undergo evaluation in Finland next month.


A Winning Formula

After dominating the 2024 season with eight wins from 13 rallies and securing a fourth consecutive Manufacturers’ Championship, Toyota is poised to maintain its supremacy in 2025. With a blend of seasoned champions and rising stars, the team is ready to tackle another exciting season in the FIA World Rally Championship.

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