Sami Pajari: Rally Finland win as important as WRC title

Sami Pajari, a Finnish driver for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, secured a victory at Rally Finland, a race that he considers to be as significant as winning the World Rally Championship title. Pajari, who became the 14th Finn to win the event and the second-youngest winner, stated that both a home victory and a WRC title are equally important to him.

The 24-year-old driver emphasized that while the first win is always special, winning Rally Finland holds a unique place in his career as a Finn. He acknowledged the difficulty of the event, noting that previous wins took many years to achieve for fellow Finnish drivers Juha Kankkunen and Kalle Rovanpera. Fellow Finn and 1981 WRC champion Ari Vatanen was there to greet Pajari at the finish line, offering words of encouragement and support throughout the weekend in Estonia and again in Finland.

Pajari's win moves him into second place in the championship, trailing team-mate Elfyn Evans by 30 points. Despite the increased pressure, Pajari remains focused on his goals, stating that he will continue to give his best effort in each race, whether it's for the championship or local wins.