WRC News: Sami Pajari to Make Rally1 Debut in Finland, Not Latvia, as Toyota Shuffles Driver Line-up
In a surprise move, Toyota has altered its driver line-up for the upcoming World Rally Championship (WRC) events, with rising star Sami Pajari set to make his Rally1 debut in Finland instead of Latvia. The Finnish driver, who currently competes in WRC2, will pilot a fourth GR Yaris Rally1 at the Rally Finland event from 1-4 August, alongside co-driver Enni Malkonen.
The change in plans comes after Toyota announced last month that Pajari and Malkonen would step up to drive a GR Yaris Rally1 in Latvia, making its WRC debut from 18-21 July. However, the reigning world champion team has now decided to field Sebastien Ogier in a fourth GR Yaris Rally1 for Latvia, alongside regulars Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta, and part-time driver Kalle Rovanpera.
Rovanpera, who was originally set to drive in Latvia, is also expected to contest his home round in Finland. According to a statement from the team, the decision to move Pajari’s debut to Finland was made in consultation with the driver, taking into account 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,” the statement read.
The change in schedule also allows Toyota to enter Rally Latvia with its 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.
Ogier, an eight-time world champion, expressed his willingness to add Latvia to his plans to help the team in its quest to retain its manufacturers’ title. “It was not the original plan for me to be in Latvia, but the opportunity came up after analyzing together with the team the situation in both the manufacturers’ and drivers’ championships,” Ogier said.
Pajari, meanwhile, is looking forward to making his first Rally1 foray on more familiar roads compared to those of Latvia. “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,” Pajari said.
The WRC 2023 season is heating up, with the WRC calendar 2023 featuring a mix of familiar and new events. The WRC calendar 2024 is also expected to be announced soon, with fans eagerly anticipating the next season’s schedule. Stay tuned for more WRC news and updates!
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