Sami Pajari secured his maiden World Rally Championship victory at Rally Estonia, sailing from the first moment to a 19.5‑second triumph ahead of teammate Oliver Solberg.
Dominant Performance From Start to Finish
In the 18‑stage gravel event, Pajari claimed victory on 12 individual stages, a haul that underscored the consistency of his performance.
Across Friday and Saturday mornings, the Finn won nine consecutive stages and remained the only driver unbeaten throughout the leg, a feat not seen since Kalle Rovanpera in the 2023 Canary Islands.
Stage Wins and Unbeatable Streak
Despite early expectations of a close battle, Pajari maintained a step ahead, forcing rivals to navigate moments where a single mistake could erase a ten‑second advantage.
Even midway through the rally he acknowledged that each stage required perpetual focus, and the pressure never fully ebbed.
Reactions from the WRC Community
“Fair play to Sami and Marko for a very strong drive and beautiful first win,” said nine‑time champion Sebastien Ogier, who finished fifth.
Oliver Solberg, who had won his first WRC event in dominant fashion the previous year, praised the Finnish’s easy rhythm: “It was almost effortless when the car feeling is right.”
World champion Thierry Neuville added: “Great performance. Well done to him. It was just a matter of time when he would get his first win.”
Implications for the Championship
With the victory, Pajari climbs to third overall, trailing Elfyn Evans by 33 points and closing the gap toward the front of the standings.
Marko Salminen, the 47‑year‑old co‑driver celebrating his first main‑class win, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the achievement, noting the long journey to this milestone.
Undoubtedly, Rally Estonia will reshape the narrative of the season, confirming that Pajari can dominate an entire WRC event from start to finish.
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