The collaboration between Sami Pajar and Enni Mälkönen ended this season. Now Pajari talks about the background of the decision that caused an uproar.
Matti Lehtisaari,
Petri Niemi
17:01•Updated 18:57
Rally car driver Sami Pajarin has been buzzing around for the past few days when he announced that he was ending his cooperation with the map reader Enni Mälkönen with. The duo’s parting of the ways was made public on Sunday, when Pajari and Mälkönen had won the WRC2 class championship in Japan.
Pajari explained the course of events to Urheiluikki on Wednesday. Pajari repeated again that the decision to change the map reader was already made well before the rally in Japan that ended the World Series.
– The decision was made well in advance of the Japan rally. Enni was already aware of the matter before Japan, but we wanted to bring it to the public only after the competition, Pajari commented.
According to Pajar, Mälkönen found out about it already after the Central European World Cup Rally.
– Understandably, he was disappointed that the work will not continue after this. I cannot comment further on his behalf, Pajari stated.
Why did the map reader have to be changed now?
– There are reasons for that, but we don’t want to comment on them in public. There is no drama. This has become a disproportionately big issue in the public eye. It certainly raises questions that our cooperation ends after a winning streak.
Pajari takes responsibility for informing about the matter.
– We have made mistakes with the announcement. I should have commented from the beginning. But we wanted labor peace in Japan and that’s why we didn’t tell about it before the competition, Pajari said.
Pajari doesn’t want to reveal yet who will read notes for him in next season’s World Cup rallies.
– We have plans, but we haven’t wanted to reveal the matter yet, Pajari acknowledged.
The full-season contract surprised Pajar
Pajari got behind the wheel of Toyota’s Rally1 car already in three World Cup rallies in the season that ended. He immediately impressed in his Rally1 debut by driving fourth in the Jyväskylä World Rally Championship.
– The WRC2 championship was a great achievement and a great thing. However, my eyes are already on Rally1. I personally consider it a bigger thing that I have a garage and can drive there all year round. I was able to ride in three races already this year, so I at least know what’s in store, Pajari said.
Pajari, 22, admits that things have developed faster than expected.
– It came as a surprise that Toyota wanted to make a contract for the whole season. Of course I hoped so, but I didn’t think it was certain. Half a year would have been great, Pajari commented.
According to Pajar, he will not drive for team points, at least in the early stages of the upcoming season.
– I have understood that we are at least the fourth car at the start and we do not drive from the garage points. But if the season turns out to be good, then they (Toyota) can throw us out of the points, Pajari predicts.