Sami Pajari’s triumphant first World Rally Championship win in Estonia places him at the forefront of this week’s Rally Finland, where he will face one of the most demanding rubber-tackling challenges of the season.
New‑Era Contender on Home Soil
Following a flawless performance in the swift gravel of Estonia, the 24‑year‑old Toyota driver now carries the best form of the season, a streak of six podiums from eight rounds that outpaces every other contender.
“We keep boasting about the 18‑km long stages that smell like pine and gravel, but drivers can’t underestimate the competition,” Pajari told Motorsport.com. “Even with confidence, it’s not going to get any easier.”
Concrete Indicators of a Title Fight
All five Toyota crews have already claimed rally victories this year, tightening the championship battle. Championship leader Elfyn Evans leads by 25 points, having won Finland twice, with fellow rivals including Takamoto Katsuta and Sébastien Ogier also in the mix.
Jagged pace on fast gravel has helped Oliver Solberg close the 47‑point gap to Evans, while Ogier’s reunion with co‑driver Julien Ingrassia after Vincent Landais steps aside adds another subplot to the Finnish showdown.
Heart‑Rate‑Rising Stages Await
Finland’s first of twenty events launches Thursday evening, with the terrain demanding swift navigation and sheer courage. Team principal Jari‑Matti Latvala noted that all five Toyota entrants still hold championship chances and “can expect a tight fight” on the home track.
The rally’s schedule, split across fast, demanding stages, is set to test whether Pajari can translate his Estonia momentum into victory on Finnish soil.
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