Sami Pajari will make two more appearances in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid at this season.
The 22-year-old replaces Takamoto Katsuta for round 10 of the 2024 WRC season at Rally Chile later this month. Katsuta has been benched by the team “to give Takamoto [Katsuta], as well as co-driver Aaron Johnston, its full support and hopes this short break in an intense and competitive season can provide an opportunity to reset and come back stronger.”
Toyota’s line-up for Rally Chile will therefore be Ogier, Rovanperä, Evans and Pajari. Katsuta will be back for the two remaining rounds of the championship.
Rovanperä won’t be competing at the Central European Rally, the team’s line-up for the tarmac rally will therefore be Ogier, Evans, Katsuta and Pajari.
Pajari: ‘Couldn’t have expected that the opportunity would come again so soon.’
Pajari, who debuted in a Rally1 car at Rally Finland said: “It is amazing to have this chance to drive the GR Yaris Rally Hybrid on two more events this season.
“It feels really nice to know that TGR-WRT is putting this trust in me. Rally Finland was like a dream come true for me, and after that of course I just wanted to drive a Rally1 car more and more, but I could not have expected that the opportunity would come again so soon.”
Latvala: ‘It’s been a tough season for Taka’
Toyota Team Principal Jari-Matti said: “As we look to invest further in talented young drivers for the future, it’s important to learn more about Sami’s abilities, firstly on some different gravel roads on the other side of the world in Chile, and then on asphalt in Central Europe.
“He will be driving a fourth car, so there is no pressure upon him to contribute towards the championship. For us it’s more about investing in the future and gaining that experience.”
Speaking on Katsuta, Latvala said: “For Taka, it has been a tough season, but he has the full support of the team and everybody knows that he has the speed.
“With this break, he has a chance to reset and recharge ready for the last two events which will be important, especially Rally Japan of course, where we hope he can be fighting for the podium places again.”
Photo: Toyota Gazoo Racing