The Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team is ready to give young driver Sami Pajari the chance to showcase his skills at the highest level of rally. Pajari, along with co-driver Enni Mälkönen, will compete in a fourth entry for TGR-WRT at the Rally Latvia next month. This event, which is new on the FIA World Rally Championship calendar for 2024, will see Pajari competing alongside the team’s regular crews on the fast gravel stages.
Pajari, a 22-year-old Finnish driver, is widely recognized as one of the most promising talents in the world of rallying. In 2021, he made history by becoming the youngest ever Junior WRC champion. Additionally, he secured his first WRC2 victory at the Rally Finland last year.
Throughout this year, Pajari has been driving the new GR Yaris Rally2 car in the highly competitive WRC2 class. His impressive stage-winning performances on various surfaces have caught the eye, and he has provided valuable feedback to the team’s engineers. At the recent Rally Italia Sardegna, Pajari claimed a dominant victory in WRC2 and finished sixth overall.
By granting Pajari the opportunity to step up to Rally1 in Latvia, the TGR-WRT team demonstrates its commitment to nurturing young talent and providing a platform for them to shine on the global rally stage. This is in line with the broader mission of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing to support young drivers in their development and help them achieve their dreams.
Jari-Matti Latvala, the team principal of Toyota Gazoo Racing, expressed excitement about Pajari’s progress and the upcoming rally. He highlighted Pajari’s exceptional driving skills with the GR Yaris Rally2 and the valuable contributions he offers to the team’s engineers. Latvala also emphasized the similarities between the Rally in Latvia and the Rally in Finland, suggesting that Pajari will feel comfortable on the fast and flowing roads of the Baltic region. He hopes that Pajari and Mälkönen can gain valuable experience during the event and adapt to the Rally1 car.
Pajari is excited about the opportunity to make his debut in Rally1 with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. He acknowledges the challenges ahead, including the steep learning curve and high level of competition. However, he intends to focus on enjoying the experience and gaining as much knowledge as possible for his future endeavors. Pajari notes that the fast and flowing nature of the stages in Latvia is familiar to him, as he grew up in Finland. He also recognizes that this is a new event for all participants, leveling the playing field. While he hopes for a good performance, Pajari remains focused on the current rally and aims to make the most of it.
