P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team will give talented young driver Sami Pajari the opportunity to make his debut at rallying’s top level when he drives a GR YARIS Rally1 at Rally Latvia next month. Pajari and co-driver Enni Mälkönen will compete in an additional fourth TGR-WRT entry alongside three of the team’s regular crews […]
Sami Pajari and co-driver Enni Mälkönen will join three regular crews in the upcoming fast gravel event as an additional TGR-WRT entry, a new addition to the FIA World Rally Championship calendar for 2024.
Pajari, a 22-year-old Finnish driver, is highly regarded as one of the most promising young talents in rallying, having won the Junior WRC championship in 2021 and secured his first WRC2 victory at Rally Finland last year.
He has been impressing in the WRC2 class this year with the GR Yaris Rally2 car, showcasing both speed and valuable feedback to engineers across all surfaces, culminating in a commanding win at Rally Italia Sardegna.
The opportunity for Pajari to step up to Rally1 in Latvia reflects TGR-WRT’s commitment to nurturing young talent and supporting their progression to the global rallying stage, in alignment with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s ethos of fostering young drivers’ skills and aspirations.
Jari-Matti Latvala, Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Principal, emphasized Pajari’s strong performance and potential, highlighting the upcoming challenge in Rally Latvia as a platform for gaining experience and understanding the dynamics of a Rally1 car.
Excited about his Rally1 debut, Pajari expressed gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging the steep learning curve and intense competition while focusing on enjoying the journey, gaining experience, and potentially paving the way for future opportunities through a strong performance in Latvia.
