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.