PARIS — Finland’s Sami Pajari claimed a maiden premier class victory in the Rally of Estonia, the ninth of the 14-round World Rally Championship season.
Pajari, winner of the WRC2 category in 2024, dominated the race to finish ahead of fellow Toyota driver Oliver Solberg – last year’s surprise winner – and France’s Adrien Fourmaux.
Fourmaux came out on top in a fierce battle with his Belgian Hyundai teammate Thierry Neuville.
Reigning French world champion Sebastien Ogier finished fifth just ahead of Welshman Elfyn Evans, who consolidated his championship lead following the retirement of his closest pursuer, Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta of Toyota.
Much like Sweden’s Solberg in 2025, the Baltic event once again crowned an unexpected winner.
Pajari won 12 of the 18 stages, including the first nine, before managing the race calmly to finish 19 seconds ahead of Solberg.
The 24-year-old moves up to third place in the championship and establishes himself as a title contender.
“It’s fabulous. It hasn’t sunk in yet. I am very grateful to Toyota and everyone who supported me, even during the tough times,” said Pajari after climbing onto the roof of his Yaris to celebrate.
“I knew I was getting closer to this win, and now it’s happened, it’s great,” Pajari added according to AFP.
This victory confirms the superb season of Toyota’s fifth-ranked driver, who had already secured five podium finishes in the season’s first eight rounds – one second place and four third places.
