Sami Pajari and co-driver Enni Mälkönen demonstrated impeccable precision and focus at Rally Japan, securing both the WRC2 World Championship and the WRC2 Challenger title. Their victory not only marked the pinnacle of Toyota GR Yaris Rally2’s debut season but also highlighted an extraordinary campaign with Finnish Printsport Racing, celebrated in style with the enthusiastic Japanese crowd.
Heading into the event, the Finnish duo knew the stakes: they needed at least a second-place finish in the WRC2 category to guarantee the championship. With Bulgaria’s Nikolay Gryazin—himself a contender for a podium finish in the points battle—setting a blistering pace en route to victory, Pajari and Mälkönen had no room for error.
The rally commenced on Thursday with a spectator stage at Toyota Stadium, offering no decisive moments. However, the drama unfolded early on Friday when Pajari suffered a punctured front-left tyre on the second stage, losing over 40 seconds to Gryazin.
“I didn’t notice any impact with anything—it’s frustrating as this doesn’t make our job easier. We’ll have to keep pushing,” Pajari reflected at the stage finish.
Despite the setback, the issue proved less critical than it seemed in the cockpit. While the lead slipped away, the Finns maintained a ten-second cushion over Japan’s Hiroki Arai in third. From there, Pajari and Mälkönen solidified their position, ending Friday with a commanding one-minute lead over Arai.
“It was a pretty consistent day for us. Things are looking good at the moment,” Pajari commented at the close of Friday’s stages.
Saturday’s stages maintained the status quo. Gryazin held firm at the front, while Pajari consolidated his second-place position with a safe yet confident drive. By the day’s end, the Finnish pairing had extended their buffer over Arai to 51 seconds.
“A steady day overall. It’s been a nice rally so far, though driving cautiously isn’t easy—you still need to keep a good rhythm,” Pajari summed up the day’s efforts.
Sunday’s five stages presented a fresh set of challenges, keeping drivers and fans on edge. Incidents such as Ott Tänak and Heikki Kovalainen both sliding into the same outer bend highlighted the day’s treacherous conditions. However, Pajari and Mälkönen maintained their composure, delivering the same reliable performance that had defined their weekend. Their second-place finish in the WRC2 category was exactly what was required, securing them the title ahead of Sweden’s Oliver Solberg in the overall WRC2 standings, with Gryazin clinching the Challenger runner-up spot.
“This is an indescribable feeling—it’s hard to put into words what this season has been like,” Pajari said, reflecting on his championship victory. “So many people deserve credit for this success. It’s not just about me or Enni. Toyota provided us with an incredible car, Printsport handled everything with precision, and our supporters and friends played vital roles. This triumph belongs to all of them—a collective achievement.”
With their dual championship triumph in Japan, Pajari and Mälkönen have etched their names into rallying history, setting a new benchmark for excellence in their debut season with Toyota’s GR Yaris Rally2.
Results - WRC2
1. Nikolay Gryazin BG 3:33:45.3 Citroen
2. Sami Pajari & Enni Mälkönen FIN +1:46.5 Toyota
3. Hiroki Arai JPN +3:20.0 Skoda
4. Gus Greensmith GBR +4:26.8 Skoda
5. Kajetan Kajetanowicz POL +2:52.9 Skoda
Unofficial championship points - WRC2
1. Sami Pajari FIN 126
2. Oliver Solberg SWE 123
3. Nikolay Gryazin BG 116
Unofficial championship points - WRC2 Challenger
1. Sami Pajari FIN 136
2. Nikolay Gryazin BG 130
3. Kajetan Kajetanowicz POL 94
Sami Pajari Media
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