Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team Announces Exciting Debut for Young Talent Sami Pajari at Rally Latvia

In a move to support young drivers in the world of rallying, Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team is giving 22-year-old Finnish driver Sami Pajari the opportunity to make his debut at rallying’s top level when he drives a GR YARIS Rally1 at Rally Latvia next month. Pajari and co-driver Enni Mälkönen will compete in an additional fourth TGR-WRT entry alongside three of the team’s regular crews on the fast gravel event, which is new on the FIA World Rally Championship calendar for 2024.

Rising Star in the Making

Pajari, regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in rallying, has already made a name for himself in the WRC support categories. He became the youngest ever Junior WRC champion when he claimed the title in 2021, and last year achieved his first WRC2 victory at Rally Finland. This year, Pajari has been driving the new GR Yaris Rally2 car in the highly competitive WRC2 class, where he has impressed with stage-winning speed on all surfaces while delivering valued feedback to engineers. His recent commanding WRC2 win and sixth-place overall finish at Rally Italia Sardegna have solidified his position as a rising star in the world of rallying.

Providing Opportunities for Young Talent

Toyota Gazoo Racing’s decision to give Pajari a chance to step up to Rally1 in Latvia demonstrates the team’s ambition to provide a path for young talent to reach rallying’s world stage. This commitment is part of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s wider global initiative to support young drivers in developing their skills and achieving their dreams.

“Alongside our TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRC Challenge Program, where since 2015 we have been training young Japanese drivers, we also keep an eye out for the most talented young drivers competing in the WRC support categories. This year we’ve seen that Sami Pajari is driving really well with our GR Yaris Rally2, and we would like to see his potential in our Rally1 car.”

– Jari-Matti Latvala, Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Principal

Pajari’s Excitement for the Opportunity

Pajari is thrilled about his pending Rally1 debut: “It feels amazing to have this opportunity with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. This is something that I have been working towards for many years, but it is not so often that there is a seat available in a Rally1 car.” He added, “I hope that if we can do well, then maybe there can be a chance for something nice in the future, but that’s something I can only think about much later. For now, I’ll just focus on this one rally and enjoy it.”

This exciting debut is set to take place at Rally Latvia, a fast and flowing event that should suit Pajari’s driving style. As the 2024 WRC season gains momentum, fans will be eagerly watching to see how this young talent fares on the world stage.

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