Monte is not an easy task to kick off the WRC season. Pajari realised that already last year, when he retired after going off the road on the final day of the rally on Sunday, when an icy section proved decisive. Pajari tested in very snowy conditions, and cold weather is also forecast for the rally itself. Snowfall is also very possible.
With one full season in a top-category car already behind him and the rallies now familiar, there is enough experience to expect an increase in performance.
“Of course, it’s much more straightforward this time and the guys were doing already really good job on the test days. And we have also already really good setup and I’m happy with the car mostly. Of course we are now in quite snowy conditions, so you never know really,” Pajari reflects.
“Monte Carlo, if it will be dry tarmac or full snow and ice. Never know. The car is pretty much the same than last year. So as a total package, I feel much more confident with the understanding of what the car is capable of to do. I believe it will be at least a little bit more easy and hopefully more enjoyable as well.”
Pajari emphasises the challenging nature of Rally Monte Carlo. Snow and ice are not the only challenges, as the special stages are also very different in character from one another.
“Monte Carlo is perhaps the most challenging rally of the entire season, or at least certainly one of the most difficult. The event features a wide variety of road surfaces. We are likely to face both snow and ice, and on some stages really good conditions, almost like circuit racing,” Pajari underlines.
“It’s really big scale of different conditions, which is a big, big challenge, but also some long road sections. You need to manage your yourself and keep the focus on the long event. So that’s one of the biggest topics. I´ve done Monte Carlo now a few times. I´m trying to have a good feeling and not to stress too much because it can be also really a cool event to do.”
