TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team will hand Sami Pajari a dream chance to make his debut at rallying’s highest level on home roads, with the rising star’s first appearance in the GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID now set for Rally Finland on August 1-4.
Demonstrating its commitment to supporting young talent in rallying, TGR-WRT has granted the opportunity for Pajari and co-driver Enni Mälkonen to experience Rally1 machinery following their impressive performances in the GR Yaris Rally2 car so far in 2024. Originally set for July’s Rally Latvia, their step-up to the top level will now be realised at the following round in their home country, in what is sure to be an exciting moment for the crew and for Finnish rally fans.
The decision for Pajari to compete in Finland has been taken in consultation with the driver while considering the best possible conditions for his debut. Before the event he will have the opportunity to test in the team’s local area near its base in Central Finland, on roads that are similar in character to those used in Rally Finland: an event Pajari is naturally familiar with.
The change in schedule also opens up the possibility for the team to enter Rally Latvia with the strongest available line-up of regular crews across its four entries, with full-season drivers Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta to be joined by world champions Kalle Rovanperä and Sébastien Ogier.
While Rovanperä’s appearance was always planned given his experience competing in Latvia earlier in his career, Ogier has shown strong form and commitment to supporting the team during recent rallies and has a strong track record on new rallies. In what has been a close and exciting season so far, this line-up will give TGR-WRT the best possible chance of success.
