Pajari began last season cautiously, focusing on gathering experience. Over the summer, many were hoping to see more pace from the Finn, which he duly delivered in the second half of the season. In particular, the final two WRC rounds in Japan and Saudi Arabia gave a strong indication of Pajari’s speed.
Now, however, a famous watershed lies ahead. A second season in the top category means there is no longer time to simply gain experience, even though many rivals have been competing in the same events for years. Now more results are required.
“Clearly it will be really different this year. Last year was pretty much all about the learning. All the races basically was first time with this car. This machine is still so different than the smaller cars that I was in the past,” says Toyota’s Finnish driver.
“We are feeling much more ready to really be competitive and pushing.”
The second half of last season brought Pajari a great deal of much-needed confidence. He proved to everyone, and especially to himself, that he belongs in the top category of the World Rally Championship.
“The second part of last season was clearly getting better, doing some fastest times in few rallies and claiming the the first podium in Japan and also for the first time, leading the the world rally in Saudi for the first time. So a good feeling from the last few rallies of last year and really feeling much more ready this time.”
The new season begins in Monte Carlo, where the conditions are always unpredictable. There was plenty of snow and ice during Toyota’s and Hyundai’s pre-event tests.
“Feeling super great. Really nice feeling to be back starting the second season with the Rally1. We are now in the middle of snow, really different conditions than the last rally we did last year. But yeah, feeling really pumped. Really, really happy to be here. It was nice to have some holidays, but also nice to be back at the work.”
