Driver Profile
From junior champion through the rallying ranks
Pajari developed through domestic rallies in Finland and junior competitions, entering Junior WRC in 2019 and winning the title in 2021. He then progressed to higher four-wheel-drive rally classes, taking his first WRC2 class victory in Finland in 2023 as he steadily built his international experience.
In 2024, he won the WRC2 title driving a GR Yaris Rally2 and also had three opportunities to drive the GR Yaris Rally1. He finished fourth overall in Finland on his top-level debut, giving him experience of both a full season in a class and exploratory outings in top-level machinery.
A full Rally1 season and successive breakthroughs in 2026
2025 was Pajari’s first full Rally1 season. He competed under Toyota’s second-team entry, WRT2, and claimed his first overall WRC podium in Japan. The value of the season lay not just in accumulating results, but also in gaining experience with pace notes, tyres and car setup on different surfaces.
At the 2026 Rally Estonia, he took his first overall WRC victory, then followed it with consecutive wins in Finland and Paraguay. These three victories belong to a different results category from his 2024 WRC2 title, reflecting his progression from a season champion in the lower category to a driver capable of fighting for overall wins in Rally1.
Car number 5 and Toyota’s second-team entry
Pajari drives the number 5 GR Yaris Rally1 alongside co-driver Marko Salminen. Salminen shared his 2021 Junior WRC title, and the pair reunited in 2025 for a full season at the top level. This is a partnership with shared competitive experience; the driver’s youth alone should not lead the entire crew to be regarded as inexperienced newcomers.
WRT2 is a separately registered entrant within Toyota, not the WRC2 class. Pajari uses a top-level Rally1 car, competing against other Rally1 drivers for overall rally results and drivers’ championship points. Toyota’s second team’s manufacturers’ points are recorded separately and are not added directly to the main Toyota team’s total.
What to watch
Editorial analysis: When following Pajari, compare how he builds his rhythm on familiar, high-speed gravel roads with his approach on surfaces where he has less experience. His consecutive wins in Estonia, Finland and Paraguay offer examples of his breakthrough, but they should not create an expectation that he holds the same advantage in every type of condition. Considering stage speed, tyre wear and the cost of mistakes across an entire rally together provides a clearer picture of his development in his second full season.
How results are classified
Overall Rally1 results, WRC2 class results, fastest stage times and season titles are recorded separately. This page is a snapshot of his profile; for the latest drivers’ and FIA manufacturers’ points, please see this site’s championship standings.
Last checked: 1 October 2026 · Historical statistics and current points are maintained separately