Sami Pajari wins WRC Rally Finland, eyes world championship

Finnish driver Sami Pajari has claimed victory at the Jyväskylä WRC Rally, successfully navigating the pressures of being the pre-race favorite. The 24-year-old's win marks his second consecutive World Championship triumph, following his dominant performance in the Estonia Rally. Pajari described the event as a "crazy rally" and expressed gratitude for the crowd's support, admitting the magnitude of the win might only sink in after waking up on Monday.

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Home rally is always special and it was really great to win here. This was a crazy rally overall, and many thanks for the encouragement to the audience.

Pajari inherited the lead on Saturday after his Toyota teammate, French star Sébastien Ogier, experienced a significant crash. Fortunately, Ogier and his co-driver Julien Ingrassia were reported to be in good condition. Pajari ultimately finished the race 26.7 seconds ahead of his second-placed Swedish teammate, Oliver Solberg. Pajari's driving on the final day was described as controlled, and he opted for a strategic approach rather than taking unnecessary risks, especially given his comfortable lead.

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This is unbelievable. Maybe I will realize this win only on Monday when I wake up.

This victory in Finland is Pajari's second in a row in the top World Rally Championship category. His previous win in Estonia was his first in the main class. Having competed in the main class at the Jyväskylä rally for three consecutive years, Pajari has achieved fifth place in 2023 and fourth in 2024, now culminating in his first win on home soil.

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If you are the fastest to cross the finish line, you win the rally. Of course, my lead was clear going into the final day, so I didn't go crazy but drove smartly.

Pajari has accumulated eight podium finishes in the WRC's top category. He exudes confidence, attributing his success to finding a good rhythm through a combination of speed, relaxation, and enjoyment. He likens his driving style to dancing, where hesitation can lead to missteps. Previously criticized for a perceived overly cautious approach and a tendency to frame seasons as "learning years," Pajari has demonstrably increased his pace since the end of last season, meeting expectations without resorting to risky driving that leads to crashes. His career trajectory includes winning the JWRC junior category in 2021 and the WRC2 category championship in 2024.

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I have found a good pace through a certain kind of relaxation and enjoyment. Driving is not forcing, it's just really sweet to let it go. Then the special stage times are right.