Let’s emphasize right away: I’m not going to reveal why Sami Pajarin and Enni Mälkönen parted ways.
Instead, I’ll open up about what I think is the only thing that matters when a driver changes karts, and why the headline and social media firestorm that ensued was, in the end, completely unnecessary.
And yes, I understand that every new thing like this keeps the “buzz” going.
Like the Pajari thing in his apology message expressed, there would hardly have been a row if he and his team had communicated the matter clearly and consistently.
This could have been prepared in advance, once the decision had been made well in advance of the rally. Elegant thanks for the years together, both perspectives on the matter and moving forward.
But mistakes happen, both in communication and in special tests.
So what was the reason for the parting of the ways? The parties haven’t wanted to say that completely yet. There is nothing objectionable about that.
Of course, when you choose to remain silent, you have to be prepared for rumors and their evasion. People’s curiosity should not be underestimated. Global curiosity has kept the yellow press alive for as long as it has existed. That same curiosity fuels social media, like it or not.
If the rumor mill is ready to endure, there is no problem in not telling. All storms eventually subside.
Changing the karter is common in rally driving. Still, the karttur can, with good reason, be disappointed with the decision.
When the driver makes a decision, it is always his alone. The reason is in the equation, which will never change.
The best karter will never win the championship if the driver is mediocre.
The best driver can win the championship, even if the kart driver is mediocre.
In the end, it is irrelevant what was the reason for Pajar and Mälkönen’s collaboration to end.
The equation does not diminish the importance of map readers. The karttur’s job is extremely demanding and important. The number of notes is only a fraction of that.
The kartturi keeps the entire fleet on schedule. If there is a problem during a special test or transition, it is the karter who solves it, because time creates the framework for all activities in a rally. You don’t only fight against the clock with fastballs.
Of course, the note must fall in a rhythmic manner and without mistakes. Although the drivers watch videos in each interval, the parentheses have not reduced the importance of the karter.
The notes are made by the driver and recorded by the karter. They describe the way and evoke memory. If the timing is wrong, driving becomes uncertain. When the driver no longer drives according to his notes, you can forget about winning.
The chemistries also have to face. Friendship is not necessary, but trust must not be broken. The driver and map reader work with each other around the clock during the rally week. They are more in each other’s company than alone.
A map reader can be flawless, but even that is not always enough. It is only up to the driver which thing he feels affects his own actions.
If the matter gets too big in the driver’s head, the karter is allowed to go. Changing a car is difficult, because only the absolute number one stars of the series “shop” for stables.
The reasons for changing the karter can therefore vary. Of course, the wish might come from the team, if, for example, a young driver wants a more experienced mentor alongside him.
Just as there is no perfect driver, there is no perfect carter. Compromises guide choices, and changing doesn’t always improve.
As long as Pajari has made his decision himself, it is the right decision.
In the end, it is irrelevant what was the reason for Pajar and Mälkönen’s collaboration to end.
As long as Pajari has made his decision himself, it is the right decision. Only the driver himself knows if he stands behind his choices.
In a rally, it’s always about how the driver gets the most out of his performance. That’s why changing the karter is completely normal in the rally world.
Nicolas Gilsoul read sheet music for a long time For Thierry Neuvillebut Neuville won the championship Martijn Wydaeghen with. Has driven nearly 200 World Cup rallies in his career Dani Sordo has recycled five different map readers in the main class. to Andreas Mikkelsen WC rallies with eight different karters have been recorded.
In Finland, they are not used to changing, which partly explains the reactions. Alen-Kivimäki, Latvala-Anttila, Lappi-Ferm, Rovanperä-Halttunen – rally people know their pairs.
One inseparable-sounding pair is Marcus Grönholm and Timo Rautiainen. They still didn’t ride their entire career together. The two started in the same car back in 1989, but they parted ways when “Bosse” was searched for a more experienced boar. The duo eventually got back together in the mid-1990s, with famous consequences.
From the last few years, we remember how those who drove in the main class at that time Teemu Suninen changed Mikko Markkulan initially Marko Salmiens and then in the middle of the season Jarmo Lehtinen. From the season until 2021, Suninen and Markkula have sat in the same cabin again.
Pajari and Mälkönen can still drive together sometime.