Can Sami Pajari win the rally world title this year? Jari-Matti Latvala weighs in

Finnish rally driver Sami Pajari has made an astonishing leap in performance this season, positioning himself as a strong contender in the World Rally Championship (WRC).

At 24 years old, Pajari, driving for Toyota, has climbed to second place in the overall standings with only four stages left in the season. His consistent performance has put him in a position to challenge the current series leader, Elfyn Evans.

This season marks Pajari's first full year competing with a Rally1 car. While his driving and results in 2025 drew criticism, his approach this year has been more measured, yielding significant success. Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala has praised Pajari's development.

Latvala acknowledges Pajari's impressive progress but expresses caution regarding the young driver's immediate prospects for the world title. The question remains whether Pajari can secure the championship title this year, a feat that would cap off a remarkable season of improvement.