This season, Pajari has stepped up to the premier class, meaning another extremely tough challenge lies ahead against a field of accomplished top drivers. One thing is certain, though – Pajari will surely want a strong result to round off the season.
Pajari has fond memories of this week’s Rally Japan. Last year, he finished second in the WRC2 category, securing the championship title for the Finn. Pajari also competed in Japan in 2022, when he claimed the bronze position in the WRC2 Junior category.
“I’m really looking forward to my first Rally Japan as a Rally1 driver with Toyota. I have some good memories from last year when we won the WRC2 title there, and I could already feel the support of the Japanese fans then, so I’m sure that this year it might be on another level,” Pajari says.
Pajari has yet to reach the podium this season. The challenge in Japan will be extremely tough as well, with three other Toyota drivers fighting for the world title. In addition, his teammate Takamoto Katsuta, competing in his home event, will certainly give it everything he’s got – and of course, Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak, along with Adrien Fourmaux, cannot be overlooked either.
“I enjoy the stages in Japan: they are not so fast but you have to be really precise because they’re so narrow and twisty,” Pajari tells.
“We had good speed on some stages in Central Europe and hopefully we can continue that in Japan, where the road generally stays a bit cleaner for each car because there are fewer chances to cut the corners.”
Katsuta has once reached the podium in his home country, finishing third in the 2022 event. This time, he will surely be hoping for his first career victory, but as mentioned above, the competition – especially within his own team – is extremely fierce.
“Rally Japan is very special for me as my home rally and I’m really looking forward to driving there again in front of family and friends. It will be the fourth time that we’ve competed in the WRC event in Japan and, after being on the podium in 2022, I would definitely like to try to get back there this year,” Katsuta sums up.
“It’s never an easy rally with the narrow mountain roads, the changing grip levels, and the chance of difficult weather. I can take some confidence from the good stage times and result we did in Central Europe, and I will give everything to get the best result ever for myself, the team and the Japanese rally fans.”
