Метка: Sami Pajari

Toyota encouraged for future after Pajari’s WRC Chile drive

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Sami Pajari remains part of Toyota’s discussions regarding its 2025 World Rally Championship driver plans after the Finn impressed management at Rally Chile.

Pajari was handed a surprise second career Rally1 outing with the Japanese brand at last weekend’s gravel round in South America in place of regular driver Takamoto Katsuta, who will rejoin the team at this month’s Central European Rally.

Competing in challenging weather conditions on a rally new to Pajari, the Finn enjoyed a trouble-free drive, running as high as fourth on Friday before eventually finishing the 16-stage rally in sixth overall.

The result followed his run to an impressive fourth on his Rally1 debut with Toyota in Finland in August.

Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala declared Pajari’s display as the «perfect result» given the circumstances he faced.

Latvala told Motorsport.com after Finland that the 22-year-old was among the team’s drive options for 2025 as Toyota continues to forge its driver line-up for next year.

Speaking after the Acropolis Rally, Latvala stated that Toyota needs at least three full-time drivers to lead its attack next year.

It is anticipated that Kalle Rovanpera and Elfyn Evans will lead the team on a full-time basis. Part-time driver Sebastien Ogier has hinted that he is open to a reduced partial campaign next year, while the team has shown continued support to Katsuta, who has been part of the squad since 2020.

Sami Pajari, Enni Mälkönen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Sami Pajari, Enni Mälkönen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Toyota Racing

«He [Sami] did an absolutely perfect result he did what we wanted him to do,» said Latvala.

«We couldn’t ask for more. We wanted him to have a consistent run and we can see that there is speed and he said himself that he could do more but I told him that we just wanted him to get more kilometres and get more comfortable in the car.

«There are going to be more steps to climb in the future. What we have seen I would be very encouraged to see him driving more events next year.

«There are some discussions but no decisions.»

Reflecting on his drive in Chile, Pajari felt there was plenty learned from his outing for the future.

«I was not expecting to be here but it was really nice opportunity so I’m super grateful to the team for once again making this possible,» said Pajari.

«I think there was still a lot of positives from this rally like I was really clean and there was some really tricky conditions out there.

‘I had some really good stage times and on Friday the pace was really nice but on the other two days it was about learning and surviving.»

Pajari is set for another Rally1 outing with Toyota at the Central European Rally which was announced in conjunction with the news that he would drive in Chile.



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Toyota needs three full-time WRC drivers in 2025

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Toyota needs to have at least three full-time drivers contesting the 2025 World Rally Championship, according to team principal Jari-Matti Latvala.

His comments followed a difficult weekend at the Acropolis Rally, where Latvala admitted that the team’s drivers’ and manufacturers’ title were “pretty much gone” following a 1-2-3 for rivals Hyundai.

Reflecting on the way the title race has unfolded to Autosport last Sunday in Greece, the Toyota boss said that the team’s decision to field two full-time drivers in Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta and two part-time drivers in Kalle Rovanpera and Sebastien Ogier has not been enough to challenge for the titles.

Toyota reshuffled its line-up for this season after two-time world champion Rovanpera’s decision to go part-time this year to “recharge his batteries” ahead of a full-time return next year.

When asked for his thoughts on the team’s 2025 line-up, before Wednesday’s shock decision to replace Katsuta at Rally Chile with rising star Sami Pajari, Latvala said: “What I have learned this year is that for 2025 we need to have three drivers who will do the full championship.

“This is clear now that having part-time drivers and if you have only two drivers doing the full [championship], that is not enough to win the title.

“We can have a fourth driver who can do part of the championship, but three drivers need to be doing a full season.”

When asked if he felt there was a lot of work ahead to finalise the team’s 2025 line-up, he added: “There’s things we need to now consider and we need to think about.

Takamoto Katsuta, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Takamoto Katsuta, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Photo by: Toyota Racing

“I can’t speak about the line-up, not yet.”

Rovanpera is contracted and expected to return to a full-time drive with the team next year, which will be a boost for the Japanese brand that has won the last three drivers’ and constructors’ championships.

“Kalle has already mentioned himself that that he is doing a full season and this is what we have been targeting,” said Latvala.

“It is clear that if Kalle drives, then it’s a full season, we just need to check a couple of things. But that is the way we want it to be.”

However, next season poses an interesting proposition for Toyota regarding its driver line-up, with plenty of options at its disposal.

Eight-time world champion Ogier’s future is yet to be determined, although this year he has once again proved to be valuable asset for the team by winning three rallies and scoring three second-place finishes from seven starts.

The Frenchman has committed to seeing out the rest of the season in a bid to keep the heat on Hyundai points leader Thierry Neuville, but is thought unlikely to commit to return to full-time action.

Two-time WRC title runner-up Evans, competing in his fifth season with Toyota, has endured a challenging season attempting to lead the team’s drivers’ title assault. The Welshman has regularly challenged for podiums and copped his fair share of misfortune with arguably the most damaging incident a driveshaft failure in Finland when sitting second to then-leader Rovanpera.

Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Toyota Racing

Despite the news that Katsuta will be benched for Chile, the team made it clear in its announcement that it will continue to give “its full support” to the Japanese and hopes this short break in an intense and competitive season can provide an opportunity to reset and come back stronger”.

Katsuta piloted a full-time fourth entry from 2021 to 2022, before making the step up to the third car last year.

The rise of WRC2 title contender Pajari offers another option following his impressive run to fourth on Rally1 debut in Finland, which has now led to two more outings in Chile and Central Europe. Latvala told Autosport after Finland that the young Finn was among the team’s options for 2025.

“Of course, Toyota is thinking about investing for the future, like we did with Sami in Finland,” Latvala added when asked about the driver market for next year.

“Those things are what Toyota wants to invest in for the future. But of course, overall, we need to have drivers at the same time that we can win the championship.”



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Pajari to replace Katsuta in Chile as Toyota hands protege another Rally1 drive

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Toyota has elected to replace Takamoto Katsuta with protege Sami Pajari for the next round of the World Rally Championship in Chile later this month.

This is part of a decision to hand Finnish duo Pajari and co-driver Enni Malkonen a further two WRC Rally1 outings in Chile and at the following Central European Rally after impressing to finish fourth on their top-flight debut in Finland last month.

Pajari will now join Kalle Rovanpera, Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans in Chile from 26-29 September.

As a result, full-time driver Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston are set to rejoin the Toyota squad for the Central European Rally and the season finale in Japan.

The decision arrives after a difficult run of rallies that has included carries in Finland and last week’s Acropolis Rally where he was sitting in second before a mistake on stage three.

When speaking to Motorsport.com at the end of the Acropolis Rally, Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala stated that there was a 50/50 chance Pajari, who finished fourth overall in Greece while winning the WRC2 class, would receive another Rally1 outing this year.

Sami Pajari, Enni Mälkönen, Printsport Toyota GR Yaris Rally2

Sami Pajari, Enni Mälkönen, Printsport Toyota GR Yaris Rally2

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

“After the great performance that Sami Pajari showed at Rally Finland, we wanted to see more of what he can do in a Rally1 car,» said Latvala.

“The main goal in Finland was to gain experience, but he already demonstrated his high potential. In Greece too, he again showed the high level he’s been driving at with the GR Yaris Rally2 car.

«As we look to invest further in talented young drivers for the future, it’s important to learn more about Sami’s abilities, firstly on some different gravel roads on the other side of the world in Chile, and then on asphalt in Central Europe.

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“He will be driving a fourth car, so there is no pressure upon him to contribute towards the championship. For us it’s more about investing in the future and gaining that experience.

“For Taka, it has been a tough season, but he has the full support of the team and everybody knows that he has the speed.

“With this break, he has a chance to reset and recharge ready for the last two events which will be important – especially Rally Japan of course, where we hope he can be fighting for the podium places again.”

Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Toyota Racing

Pajari added: “It is amazing to have this chance to drive the GR Yaris Rally1 hybrid on two more events this season.

“It feels really nice to know that TGR-WRT is putting this trust in me. Rally Finland was like a dream come true for me, and after that of course I just wanted to drive a Rally1 car more and more, but I could not have expected that the opportunity would come again so soon.

“I’m really looking forward to Rally Chile, with some nice gravel roads that are mostly flowing and high-speed, so a bit similar to Finland. Central Europe can be even more demanding given how wet and muddy we saw it can be last year.

“For my first time in a Rally1 car on asphalt on such a rally, it could be quite a challenge but it’s one that I’m really happy to face, of course.”

Katsuta has since posted on social media reacting to the news that he will sit out the Chile event. 

«I and Aaron will not drive Rally Chile. We will have a short break from competition after an intense summer that maybe didn’t go as planned, can help me reset and come back stronger for CER and Rally Japan,» read a post from Katsuta.

«Of course it is tough and I am really disappointed with myself, but the team is supporting me to find again the good feeling. Sami and Enni are really great and I wish them all the best for the rally. Good luck for Sami and Enni.» 



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Pajari among Toyota’s driver options for WRC in 2025

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Sami Pajari is a potential driver option for Toyota in the World Rally Championship next year following an impressive Rally1 debut in Finland, according to team principal Jari-Matti Latvala.

Toyota handed WRC2 title contenders Pajari and co-driver Enni Malkonen an opportunity to showcase their potential piloting a fifth GR Yaris Rally1 car in last weekend’s Rally Finland.

The duo turned heads by finishing fourth overall while claiming a maiden stage win by setting a fastest time on stage nine [Ruuhimaki].

The strong finish to the event came after Pajari was caught out by the tricky wet conditions on stage two, which resulted in a wild moment that damaged the rear of his car.

His performance across the 20 stages has impressed Latvala, who said that it showed Pajari had the potential to be a full-time Rally1 driver in the future.

“They did a great job, I think. It was a difficult start on the first stage, and it was looking not so promising. But the way he was able to put himself together, he then became very strong and got a fastest stage time,” Latvala told Motorsport.com.

“He’s very strong on the mental side, which was really good to see. I think he really showed his potential to be, let’s say, a full-time Rally1 driver.

“At the moment his focus is on WRC2 because we want him to try to fight for the championship. He still has a chance, and we want him to concentrate on that. But of course, we are talking about what we would do with him for next year.”

Sami Pajari, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Sami Pajari, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

Toyota is yet to confirm its full driver line-up for next year, although Kalle Rovanpera signed a multi-year deal last year, which included a return to a full-time campaign next year.

«I think it normally start after Rally Finland so when you have to start looking at the contracts for the for the next year,» he added. «So of course, at the moment I think we are in quite a good position.

«We will try to keep the drivers for sure. But then there are a few question marks like what Seb wants to do, does he want to drive next year? And then of course with Sami and so on, so there are a few points which we need to start clearing.»

When asked if Pajari was among the team’s options to consider for next year, he added: “Yes. Of course, we need to look and think about it.”

Pajari declared himself happy with his Rally Finland performance but is conscious of the fact that there is room for improvement.

“There are so many emotions it’s not so easy to pick the one which is on top,” said Pajari.

“Of course, I’m really, really happy for the big performance that we had and this result is really acceptable on the first rally in Rally1, and also one stage win is, let’s say, a cherry on the top of the cake. But there are a lot of things that I would like to do much better. There is always room to improve.

“The emotions are a bit mixed. The result on paper is really nice, but if you look at the fact that Kalle retired [from the lead] on the second-to-last stage, I’m not so able to feel happy, as for the team it is a big loss – and for Kalle himself. But I think this shows how tricky this rally has been. Many, many drivers had some troubles on the way.”

Pajari admitted he would like to make a Rally1 return “very soon” but remains focused on fighting for the WRC2 title.

“I hope very soon [to be back in a Rally1 car] after driving one week with this car, it is so amazing, and it is something I would really like to do as soon as possible,” he added.

“The main goal for this season is we are doing the full WRC2 campaign, and the championship fight is still on a good level for us.”

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Pajari to make WRC Rally1 debut in Finland as Toyota rejigs Latvia line-up

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Rising World Rally Championship star Sami Pajari will now make his Rally1 debut in Finland instead of Latvia following a change to Toyota’s driver line-up.

Toyota announced last month that Pajari and co-driver Enni Malkonen will step up from driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 car in WRC2 to pilot a fourth GR Yaris Rally1 at the gravel rally that will make its WRC debut from 18-21 July.

However, the reigning world champion team has now decided to make an alteration to its plan. Pajari and Malkonen will now contest their home round Rally Finland from 1-4 August, with Toyota planning to field Sebastien Ogier in a fourth GR Yaris Rally1 for Latvia, alongside regulars Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta and part-time and two-time world champion driver Kalle Rovanpera.

Rovanpera was originally set to drive in Latvia and is also expected to contest his home round in Finland. 

“The decision for Pajari to compete in Finland has been taken in consultation with the driver while considering the best possible conditions for his debut. Before the event he will have the opportunity to test in the team’s local area near its base in Central Finland, on roads that are similar in character to those used in Rally Finland: an event Pajari is naturally familiar with,” read a statement from the team.

“The change in schedule also opens up the possibility for the team to enter Rally Latvia with the strongest available line-up of regular crews across its four entries, with full-season drivers Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta to be joined by world champions Kalle Rovanpera and Sebastien Ogier.”

Winner WRC2 Sami Pajari, Enni Mälkönen, Printsport Toyota GR Yaris Rally2

Winner WRC2 Sami Pajari, Enni Mälkönen, Printsport Toyota GR Yaris Rally2

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

Eight-time world champion Ogier says he is happy to add Latvia to his plans to help the team in its quest to retain its manufacturers’ title, after scoring two wins and a pair of second place finishes from his four events to date.

“It was not the original plan for me to be in Latvia, but the opportunity came up after analysing together with the team the situation in both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ championships,” said Ogier.

“There was a desire from the team for me to do some more events and that’s something that I‘ve gladly accepted. I want to give back to the team and thank them for allowing me the opportunity to continue driving with them in the way that I have done the last three years. I’m enjoying the season so far and the strong performances we’ve had.”

Pajari is also looking forward to making his first Rally1 foray on more familiar roads compared to those of Latvia which will make its WRC debut.

“It is even more special to be making my Rally1 debut at home. Latvia would have been a new rally for everyone and an equal start for me in a way, but in Finland of course I know the stages generally very well and our testing will be in Finland, so to have that chance to prepare the car on roads that are very similar to the rally will be a good help for me,” said Pajari.

“And in terms of the emotions, it’s even nicer to have this chance in Finland and I’m extremely looking forward to the event.

“To drive this car on those stages will be something really cool and also really demanding: they’re very high-speed roads and I will need to learn how the aerodynamics are working.

“But this is all about trying to learn as much as we can. Of course, I will try to enjoy it too because it’s like a dream come true, but the main target is just to gain the experience. I’m really excited for it.”

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Toyota hands Rally1 debut to rising WRC star in Latvia

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Pajari and co-driver Enni Malkonen will step up from driving Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 car in WRC2 to pilot a fourth GR Yaris Rally1 at the gravel rally that will make its WRC debut from 18-21 July.

The news comes just days after the pair claimed their second career WRC2 win after finishing sixth overall at last weekend’s round in Sardinia.

Pajari has emerged as one of the WRC’s bright young talents, becoming the youngest-ever Junior WRC champion in 2021, before progressing to the second tier WRC2 class. Malkonen first navigated for Pajari in 2021 and secured the WRC3 co-drivers’ title in 2022.

“This is something that I have been working towards for many years, but it is not so often that there is a seat available in a Rally1 car,” said the 22-year-old Finn.

“It will be a huge challenge because there are so many new things to learn, and the pace at the top level is also really high. But I will try to not focus on the result too much or feel any pressure on that side, and just aim to enjoy and gain all the experience I can for the future.

“At least in Latvia the stages are mostly fast and flowing, something that I’m quite used to from Finland, and it’s also basically a fresh event for everyone, so in this sense we are more or less starting from the same place as the top drivers.

“I hope that if we can do well, then maybe there can be a chance for something nice in the future, but that’s something I can only think about much later. For now, I’ll just focus on this one rally and enjoy it.”

Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala has closely followed Pajari’s and Malkonen’s rise up the rally pyramid.

Latvala offered Pajari guidance at the start of his career in 2020, while Malkonen has called notes for Latvala in Finnish national rallies.

While Latvala is keen to see how the pair cope in faster Rally1 machinery, he has stressed that an overall result in Latvia is not the most important target.

“Alongside our Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC Challenge Program, where since 2015 we have been training young Japanese drivers, we also keep an eye out for the most talented young drivers competing in the WRC support categories,” said Latvala.

“This year we’ve seen that Sami Pajari is driving really well with our GR Yaris Rally2 car and we would like to see his potential in our Rally1 car.

“We wish that they have a nice experience with the Rally1, and they learn about it and if they do well that is also positive.

“But the most important part is to see how they accommodate the Rally1, and it is about learning. This is not the place where they need to show something the idea is to see how is the step from Rally2 to Rally1.”

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