Pajari and Mälkönen finished second in the WRC2-class at the season-ending Rally Japan. This result earned them enough points to surpass Oliver Solberg in the season standings.
After securing the title, Pajari shared significant news – Mälkönen will not continue as his co-driver next season.
“We have had a really nice last three seasons. We have been doing a really good job. But this is something that can happen in normal working life – people come and go.”
“So, long story short, for the moment, this was the last rally together for me and Enni,” Pajari revealed.
Mälkönen first joined Pajari as a co-driver in 2021 and became a permanent partner in 2022. Their journey together culminated in an extraordinary championship win.
“What could be a nicer way to end the partnership than doing it big like we did this time: we won the championship, and we were on the podium at this specific rally. Now we’re going to celebrate it together,” Pajari said with joy.
This year, Mälkönen also experienced the thrill of the WRC’s top category alongside Pajari. The duo achieved an impressive fourth-place finish at Rally Finland in August, driving Toyota’s Rally1 car.
Pajari is expected to join Toyota’s WRC team more permanently next season, but Mälkönen’s next challenges lie elsewhere.
“I’m super grateful and thankful to her for the support and all the hard work she has done over the past three years. But now it’s the moment where our paths are pointing in different directions,” Pajari said.
Pajari did not yet reveal who will take Mälkönen’s place next season.
“This is not the moment.”
Details about Pajari’s future are likely to emerge on Monday when Toyota unveils its plans for next season.
