After four special stages on Friday, Pajari holds an 18-second lead in the WRC2 class ahead of Frenchman Pierre-Louis Loubet.
Competing in Toyota’s new Rally2 car, Pajari set the fastest time in his class on two stages during the day.
“I have to admit, it was a nice day. We led here after the first day last year as well, but on the other hand, it’s fun that we were able to do it again,” Pajari smiled to RallyJournal.com
“My driving has been quite relaxed. I can’t say that I haven’t tried to drive fast, but it still came surprisingly easily. I’ve focused on driving smoothly without wearing the tyres too much.”
Last year, Pajari’s fight for top positions in the Rally Sardinia’s WRC2 class ended in a crash during Saturday’s special stages. This time, the second day presents a significant challenge again, with nearly 150 kilometers of special stages without a proper service break.
Pajari made a significant observation about his Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 car during Friday. The new rally car, built for this year, seems to suit the Finn well.
“We had good tests before the rally, and I got the car set up so that it doesn’t understeer at all. This also reflects on tyre wear. The car turns very obediently, and I don’t have to force it. That way, the tyres wear more smoothly.”
In Sardinia, the risk of a puncture is present on every special stage as loose stones get kicked up onto the road. However, Pajari does not plan to take excessive precautions on Saturday’s stages.
“You can’t drive slowly, as someone else might reach the finish line at a good pace. If you want to stay in the lead, you have to drive the same way as today. A puncture can happen even if you drive more cautiously. It’s sometimes a bit of a lottery here,” Pajari noted.
