Finland has its new champion. Not yet in WRC but still in WRC2, the antechamber, with the young Sami Pajari. Arriving in Japan, the Finn was the last driver who could still deprive Oliver Solberg of the title. The equation was then very simple for him: win or finish 2nd.
Although he encountered problems in the early hours of Friday, including a puncture, the driver Toyota finally took a deep breath when his direct competitors made one mistake after another during the weekend. Distanced by Nikolay Gryazin who won with a margin of more than 1'45, Sami Pajari had created a cushion that was comfortable enough to secure 2nd place. And consequently the title of champion.
« It's really nice, smiled-he. It’s a huge relief after two days of driving a bit slow and in control, without doing anything stupid until the finish line. Thanks to Toyota, my sponsors, our family and our fans. We did it together. It wasn’t just Enni (Mälkönen, his co-driver) and me, but the whole team. We did it together. Thank you all »
For the future, Sami Pajari seems to have clear ideas. Crowned with his WRC2 crown, the Finn aims to show himself a little more in Rally1, he who had the chance to taste the category in Central Europe a few weeks ago in a Toyota Yaris.
« I hope to do some rallies next year, he adds. The Toyota has been reliable this year, so I want to continue on the same path. » Hello Jari-Matti…
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