To secure the WRC2 title in Rally Japan, the final round of the season, Pajari needs a second-place finish. After Friday’s opening day, the Finnish driver is holding onto that second spot. Class leader Nikolay Gryazin has built a gap of over a minute, but third-placed Hiroki Arai is also a minute behind Pajari.
Driving Toyota’s Rally2 car, Pajari suffered a puncture in the morning, which cost him approximately 40 seconds. Nevertheless, his position remains solid for achieving his championship dream.
“At least in the afternoon it was mentally more easy. It was eventful day. Without the puncture, it was all pretty much under control. I was driving the speed what I found comfortable,” Pajari explained.
“The times were not even that bad, but obviously like quite soon we were one minute behind Nikolay and I would say I considered him as the most tricky rivals were having. Also we had some issues. Now we are in a situation that there is a gap of one minute in front and one minute behind. It’s just about to go the speed I feel comfortable.”
The puncture startled Pajari momentarily, but the young Finn quickly managed to reset and refocus.
“Somehow I think it always happens. Like every single time there is something that goes wrong. I’m not trying to be too optimistic or anything but somehow I know before the rally that something goes wrong anyway,” Pajari admitted.
Saturday’s schedule in Japan includes seven special stages, with the rally concluding on Sunday.
