Why has Toyota put Sami Pajari in a Rally1 car?

[@rjung_ch]

Sami is at the moment at the top of his game. Great move for him 👍

[@rjung_ch]

Sami Pajari and his co-driver Enni Mälkönen, wishing you all the best of luck!

[@bett431]

Great to see the Brands invest in drivers again and with that its also great to see an extra Puma and a extra Yaris R1 on the stages. Ironically Hyundai talked the most about using a fourth car, yet never did it.

[@mrmorizofan7001]

maybe the chat was only to stir the driver market.

[@recone829]

A good move by Toyota. Sami has great talent and I wish him all the very best for his future career hopefully in Rally1.

[@Geth-Android]

This definitely feels like succession planning for Toyota. Evans is a decent driver but not really championship material. If Pajari does well in Latvia, no doubt he'll get a few more rallies before the year is out, and a partial program next year with an eye on a full assault on the championship in 2026. Ogier isn't going to be around forever. Katsuta is only in the podium fight occasionally. And it seems Kalle like a few others has become a bit disillusioned with the sport so Toyota can't rely on him being there full time long term.

[@jenxx49]

I think it's time Ogier stepped aside

[@siviunative5241]

Good analysis. And being a Finn from whence this car was developed, Sami has a hopeful future

[@brucefield9237]

Wow. A dream of an opportunity. Baby steps. Just enjoy and finish the first one. No mention if Enni is with him. I hope this is the case. Just as important for her as well.

[@rjung_ch]

She's part of his success and should take part in WRC1.

[@Buffalobulltofta]

JML included her in his interview segment and welcomes "them to the team". Very nice!

[@siviunative5241]

Yup She's a doong great.What a fantastic girl 👏👏👏

[@carlesmiquel]

Sami is a fantastic driver. Kalle, as was explained by Jari-Matti comes from a world that no one else in the wrc comes from. But, emotionally, Kalle has something that few people but Jari-Matti could ever relate to. Jari-Matti learned about this the hard way, Kalle decided to be happy. There’s a lot underneath that blonde mop! I wouldn’t mind if he stays away from the wrc and keeps his creative side going on. Get it on Sami!

[@Buffalobulltofta]

This is a great move! Happy for TGR and Sami. Makes a lot of sense. A very nice and humble character, also happy to hear JML point out that very important aspect. Looking forward!

[@kari9856]

I am waiting for a season with full-time factory seat drivers like Kalle, ogier, evans, tanak, neuville, katsuta, solberg, sordo, lappi, suninen, loubet, fourmaux and pajari battle against each other. Forget other ones.

[@powermeower]

Don't forget latvian surprize - Martins Sesks...😊 Be also on Rally1 Hybrid , this time...👍

[@DirtFish]

What does everybody think? Are Toyota plotting their future with this one? Let us know ⬇

[@slushman8]

🏆🎯

[@Action-h7f]

It doesn't matter which car Toyota uses I think the scandal that recently broke out again is more important You have to worry that Toyota could disappear from the WRC. The chairman also came out and held a press conference for an open apology.

[@TK4491TK]

Theres only 1 reason and 1 reason only for this.. its so the co-driver has the opportunity to say "Sami be careful you are breaking the car!!"

[@vokelvo]

Great move for Sami and Toyota, would love to see Gus and Oliver duke it out in Rally 1 machinery again

[@SwordsCutEmDown]

Toyota GR desperately needs better drivers than Evans and Katsuta if they don't want to lose the Manufacturer's Championship. Evans is just plain unlucky and also has never been comfortable in the hybrid car. Taka san is only there because he's Japanese. Taka has been given several years and he has just not delivered the points. I'm very happy to see Latvala and Toyota management finally wake up and give a seat to the young and promising Pajari.

[@kristapspucens]

Pajari vs Sesks

[@f00lxpl]

GR Yaris Rally2 is just stunning to look at

[@quedeo]

Munster is going to be humilated when Sami beats I´m in his first outing in Rally1 machinery.

[@Buffalobulltofta]

Definitely plausible...

[@Geth-Android]

@@Buffalobulltofta He's barely keeping WRC2 cars behind as it is, so yeah

[@jonckheerebart9002]

You can not even compare Munster against Pajari, Munster is a privateer and thats a big difference, sami under factory…Munster private … its very normal that Munster hold on!! What if it was you’re money ?? Otherwise we have in Belgium no one who can compete with Thierry, maybe Cherain, Potty and Reynvoet butt a lot of great talents have not a field to grow in Rallying… to much pressure on the company’s here!

[@Buffalobulltofta]

@@Geth-Android yeah well Munster kind of proofs that the step from R2 to R1 is just partly about adaptation and seat time, some (most) just don't have it and that's ok. Pajari is one who will probably show to have it i think, it's promising.

[@Buffalobulltofta]

​@@jonckheerebart9002 yet history has proven that some drivers will excel massively when carried by team infrastructures, to others it just don't seem to make a difference. And the only way to really find out is for the teams to make the gamble.

[@boostracingwrc]

Such an elegant and professional episode. Little piece of history for Sami, who will certainly have a great future in the championship.

[@jakub_frohlich]

I am so happy for Sami and Enni. Hope it transitions into something even bigger.

[@globalcontrolroom]

Payari welcome from kenya

[@jonckheerebart9002]

But this is a great move from Toyota, always happy and a great workaholic 👍🏻

[@AmbientMike]

Was only a matter of time, good to see.

[@rzero21]

Toyota needs drivers committed to the championship. They have to get the prospects sooner before they go to Hyundai.

[@alanb9337]

Could Evans be used as an R & D driver for the Toyota Rally2 in selected ERC rounds, if Toyota does another share a Rally1 seat in the future?

[@HJK242]

They have 4 cars, I believe his driving the car that's not scoring manufacturer point, like Katsuta did in his early career.

[@darrel.cooper]

For sure TGR are looking to 2027. There’s no pressure on Sami, it’s not like there’s a queue to get into that seat. Good luck to all.

[@alexpaciniat]

Seen him driving in Sardinia and he was damn fast

[@tapio_m6861]

Pajari is a saviour for Toyota. They have the drivers' program that mainly consists of Japanese drivers, but Kristian Sohlberg, a guy that is deep in the scene, has said that it will take at minimum a year until any of them can compete even in Rally2. So Pajari having come and first found a team that is able to run a Yaris program, and now is able to come and give them a potential driver as Ogier might not be driving as much after this season and as Evans is already getting old. This is giving Toyota a driver for the next 5-10 years (potentially).

[@siviunative5241]

Pajari should replace Katsuta next season

[@ilkkak3065]

Toyota is putting some pressure to Evans. It might be championship or out situationen...

[@MartinsFrancis-v6z]

Sesks ( Ford) vs Pajari (Toyota) ... hope will be great battle in Latvia :)

[@powermeower]

Yes !!! Now we'll see WHO IS WHO, next generation of future champions

[@thiagogrillonsanchez]

Jari matti latvala PLEASE SINGED THIS GUY HE IS THE NEXT SEBASTIAN LOEB AND IN 5 YEARS TIME THE FINNS WILL DOMINATE WRC AND EVEN SURPASS SEBASTIAN LOEB’S RECORD OF NINE LIKE IS JUST NOTHING!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@paul106xsi]

Good luck to him.

[@RasmusKo96]

Smells like Pajari will soon take place from Evans.

[@hurri7720]

That would depend on how Evans performs too.

[@pip5461]

Always a good idea to hedge your bets...

[@ilias.liask2002]

Congratulations Sami 👏👏 good luck

[@estuardojaime1952]

Pajari es un buen piloto joven al igual que Oliver Solberg, la gran diferencia entre ellos es que es Finlandés y amigo de Latvala. Esa oportunidad bien podría ser de Solberg.

[@markosajn5776]

Solberg had his opportunity with hyundai and showed it was too early for him.

[@estuardojaime1952]

En mi opinión, Pajari no está a la altura de Oliver Solberg. A Solberg le faltó más suerte y paciencia de Hyundai, pero estaban apurados por ganarle a Toyota. Un año me parece poco para adaptarte al WRC1. Tú crees que Pajari lo hará mejor? Esperemos, el tiempo es el mejor juez.

[@markosajn5776]

@@estuardojaime1952 no, I think you are wright. Solberg is better but we will see how it goes with Pajari.

[@estuardojaime1952]

@@markosajn5776 Bien amigo, esperemos. Mencione que considero a Pajari un buen piloto joven. Un placer intercambiar opiniones contigo.

[@hanukka4511]

Hienoo Sami olen fanina Latviassa mukana Heinola Lahti.

[@florian_montuzet]

It's hard to compare Kalle to others drivers. The others don't star so young.

[@恙恙]

来シーズンからランチアワークスが復帰だそうですからヒョンデが撤退しない場合には搭乗員争奪戦が予想されますので若手の囲い込み・育成を強化したんですね😊

[@jacklb4152]

Is Enni part of the crew as well?

[@DirtFish]

Yes! 👊

[@Finduski]

Ofc the co driver follows the driver, unless sami wants to change her

[@deejii]

GZ&GL!

[@17cmmittlererminenwerfer81]

It's funny to hear a 22 year old talking about doing something "many years ago". Buddy, you haven't even been in existence for many years.

[@juancarlossanchezmorro6554]

Este Finlandes es un paquete😂😂😂 valla lavala

[@andrejoseandradegoncalves2842]

Toyota Power💪🔥

[@antoniofernandes5776]

GOOD LUCK SAMl.THE SKY IS THE LIMIT.AMYOURFAN😅😅

[@ST-jv7py]

Hianoo!

[@teroalhonniemi5494]

Miksi ei👍👍

[@DaleDriven]

Toyota really needs to come back to F1. They’re the king of this hybrid era we’re entering.

[@athamz9872]

Drivers migrate from R2 to R1 mid season. Part-time drivers are betters than full-time drivers. Part-time professional drivers... Like part-time professional football players would make any sense right? Some rallies you score, some you go just to drive around; Drive the same stage 2 times and more than 1 stage like this come on! How do you expect anyone to take this sport seriously? Even the broadcasting is poorly plan, you have to search online when's the next stage 'cus most of the time you're not told that on the live stream, there's no count down to the next stage while you're waiting and watching adds and they still want to sell subscriptions... I imagine the management being like average 90 year old man trying to keep their jobs afraid of being useless. And if Sami deserves it, let Oliver Solberg chose which R1 car he wants, he's more on the Rovampera level, also when crashing! In a couple of words, it's an inconsistent sport no one cares about.

[@ilkkak3065]

Many professional fooball players do skip some games especially those who will play in Euro24 and Europa leagues. There are just too many games to play all of them.

[@athamz9872]

@@ilkkak3065 yes but they play like, 50 games a season

[@athamz9872]

@@ilkkak3065 and what do you think? Is Solberg more deserving of a R1 car? Or both? Or Pajari? Shouldn't Ogier be number 1 Toyota driver? One is the rawest diamond the other is an old fox imo.

[@Andy_ATB]

What a surprise - another Finn getting a Toyota drive.......Who'd have thought it........

[@kari9856]

Spot on :)))

[@sdfsss9649]

フルタイムDが仕事しないからw

[@MarcoVerma]

Not a good choice i think

[@IkeVMAX4]

How! Winners of the Sardinia Rally2 race.