PAJARI Sami, SALMINEN Marko, TOYOTA GR Yaris Rally1, portrait during the 2026 Rally Estonia, 8th round of the 2026 WRC WORLD RALLY CAR CHAMPIONSHIP, from July 16 to 29, 2026 at Tartu, Estonia – Photo Nikos Katikis / DPPI
It took 26 starts in the top category for Sami Pajari to clinch his first WRC victory. Winner of the Rally Estonia, the Finn joins a very exclusive club: that of drivers who have achieved their very first World Championship win on the fast tracks of the Tartu region. A first victory built on discretion, in contrast to the more spectacular wins of Oliver Solberg and Kalle Rovanperä.
For several races, the signs of such a scenario had been evident. With five podium finishes since the start of the season, Sami Pajari seemed to have finally found the momentum that had eluded him since his arrival in the premier class at the beginning of 2025. All that was missing was a victory to complete his rise, like his teammate Takamoto Katsuta, who had won a few months earlier in Kenya and then Croatia. That has now been achieved, and in what style: by winning twelve of the…