Pajari announced that his collaboration with co-driver Enni Mälkönen has come to an end. The duo started working together three years ago and have been an inseparable team since 2022. However, next season, someone else will read the notes for the 22-year-old Finnish driver.
The WRC2 championship is undoubtedly the biggest achievement of both Pajari’s and Mälkönen’s careers. In 2021, Pajari was crowned Junior WRC champion, but back then, Marko Salminen was his co-driver in the WRC rallies.
For Mälkönen, Pajari’s decision came as a surprise.
“As you know, I will no longer be working as Sami’s co-driver. Sami and I have had big dreams together, we’ve put in the hard work and achieved them. Sami’s decision to make a change has taken me by surprise and I’m understandably very sad about it,” Mälkönen shared on Instagram on Sunday.
“This was not the decision that I wanted. And for clarification: I have of course known about Sami’s decision before today,” she added.
Mälkönen hopes her career in rallying will continue despite Pajari’s decision.
“I have always done my best and together we had great achievements; nine wins, 14 podiums and WRC2 championship. I have dedicated over ten years of my life to rallying and I hope and believe that my journey towards the top continues. When one door closes another one opens,” Mälkönen said.
Mälkönen has received widespread support, while Pajari’s decision has faced criticism in the corners of social media.
Pajari addressed the heated topic on Monday during Toyota’s driver announcement for the upcoming season.
“The decision was made before the event (Rally Japan) and discussed with Enni. So it was not a surprise for her when we announced it just after the rally,” Pajari explained.
“After three really nice years together, we achieved some truly great things. And what could be a better way to end the cooperation than by winning the championship? The next announcement regarding my upcoming co-driver will be made later,” Pajari concluded.
Toyota also revealed on Monday that Pajari will compete in a Rally1 car next season in the WRC’s top class. This will be Pajari’s first full season in the top category.
In addition to Pajari, Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans, and Takamoto Katsuta will participate in all rounds of the 2025 season. Sebastien Ogier will take part in selected events.
