Sami Pajari will compete for the second time in a Rally1 car this weekend, when the Finnish promise gets off the ground in the World Rally Championship in Chile.
SpongeBob Forsberg,
Micke Suopuro
18:01•Updated 18:13
The current rally season has passed Sami Pajarin22, even the greatest expectations. The Finnish promise, who started the season with Toyota’s new Rally2 car, has celebrated three victories in the WRC2 class.
Pajari is second in the overall WRC2 points, three points ahead of Skoda by Oliver Solberg double cloth. In addition, the Finnish driver was able to compete for the first time with a Rally1 car in the World Rally Championship in Jyväskylä, where he was fourth in the main class overall competition.
The fine moves earned Pajar the display spots in the next World Cup competitions in Chile and Central Europe.
– I didn’t dare to dream terribly about something like this. Of course, you always think to some extent about what would be good in terms of career development. It’s good to have some kind of long-term plan, so that you don’t just ride for fun, Pajari said in an interview with Urheilu.
Pajari emphasizes that the development of a new car takes its own time before the best potential can be extracted from it. Still, he has been able to hang on in the WRC2 championship fight until the end.
However, the title is not in the Finn’s own hands, because Solberg can secure the number one position in the series by winning in Chile.
– I still feel that the season has been absolutely good and positive. The fact that we are so well involved in the fight… It has been a really good year and a positive surprise that these Rally1 races are being talked about here.
Patience and learn
Pajari will start this weekend’s World Rally Championship in Chile with moderation. The goal is to get used to the Rally1 first game as well as possible.
– With these kilometers, there will probably be something new and something to learn in every section. We try to adopt them as best as possible.
Pajari drives in Chile Takamoto Katsuta in place of. However, the Finn driving a Toyota four-wheel drive car is under no pressure to collect points, because they compete for them Sebastien Ogier, Kalle Rovanperä and Elfyn Evans.
– Our role is the same as in Jyväskylä. The team’s expectations are quite moderate. There is no need to take pressure from that direction, says Pajari.
Pajari gassed up in central Finland in an unprejudiced fourth place in his Rally1 debut and also hit the counter in the bottom time in the 9th special test.
– Due to the time difference, Jyväskylä went perhaps better than I dared to expect. Of course, we’re going to run a race similar to this in a certain way.
– The level is really hard, and there is definitely a lot to learn in this competition as well. Moderately, but when the mood and conditions are good, we also try to drive hard.
The Chilean gravel roads are already familiar to Pajar from last year’s rally, where he competed in WRC2. A year ago, Tire wear and choosing the right tires were highlighted.
Pajari guesses that the tires need to be stressed a little less this time.
– There is quite a lot of data from last year, which makes it easier to some extent. The weather conditions also seem to be quite a lot cooler than last year, that can help as well. But yes, it is certainly one of the important factors in this race.
The speculation is heating up
There are three races left in the World Rally Championship. With his successes, Pajari has joined the driver speculations of next season’s main class. The situation sounds good to him.
– Let’s hope they have some substance. It’s great in itself that I got to drive a Rally 1 car in Jyväskylä for the first time, and now I get to drive a little more. After all, they are great and concrete steps.
– I’m sure everyone can guess enough that we also have a goal to be able to drive in the top class even more. It’s great that we are involved in the speculation. Then the direction is right.
It has been speculated that Toyota will run up to five cars next season. Kalle Rovanperä and Elfyn Evans will ride with these prospects for a full season. Eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier still wants to drive some of the races.
Takamoto Katsuta, who has had little success this season, is also still involved in Toyota’s plans. In addition, Toyota wants to invest in the future and young drivers like Pajari.
Only three cars can compete for manufacturers’ WC points, so some drivers may compete in a separate satellite team.
The World Rally Championship in Chile will be held from 26th to 29th. September
Corrected at 18:13: Pajari is 3 points behind Solberg, not 4.