Last season, Pajari clinched the WRC2 world title driving Toyota’s Rally2 car. He also got his first opportunities in the top class with Toyota’s Rally1 machine, and by the end of the year, the Japanese manufacturer rewarded him with a full-season contract in the premier category for 2025.
This year, Pajari’s best result has been fourth place at the Safari Rally in Kenya. His season tally includes four seventh-place finishes and three retirements.
While the breakthrough results have so far been elusive, Pajari believes there’s a clear explanation.
“We’ve taken steady steps forward. The biggest thing for me has been that our strategies have often been quite conservative. That’s made it harder to find the kind of drive I’ve been used to in previous years, when I’ve been pushing to fight for the very top,” Pajari told RallyJournal.com.
“Now we’ve been taking a more cautious approach at times. We’ll see if the focus gradually shifts more toward performance. That might even lift the overall feeling as well.”
The season has reached the point where teams are gradually locking in their line-ups for the next year. According to Pajari, he hasn’t had “any major” discussions with Toyota about his future just yet.
“Of course, I’m just trying to do what the team instructs and follow their guidance. I think that gives me the best chance to continue with this team—hopefully,” Pajari sums up.
Do you have strong confidence that you’ll be wearing the same overalls next year?
“I’d really hope so, but you never know. That’s why we’re just trying to follow what the bosses say,” Pajari replied.
Pajari’s next chance to prove himself comes at Rally Finland, which gets underway next Thursday, 31 July.
