Analysis
Pajari's WRC campaign continues despite Toyota manufacturers' title
Finnish driver Sami Pajari aims for the World Rally Championship drivers' title after Toyota secured the manufacturers' crown.
Pajari's Championship Pursuit Continues
Finnish rally driver Sami Pajari, driving for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2, continues his pursuit of the World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers' title despite his team, Toyota, already securing the manufacturers' crown with two rounds remaining in the 2026 season. Toyota clinched their record-equalling tenth manufacturers' title at the recent Chile rally, matching Lancia’s historical achievement, as reported by Motorsport.com. This victory marks Toyota's sixth consecutive manufacturers' championship, extending a dominant run that began in 2021.
Pajari currently holds second place in the drivers' standings with 171 points, trailing Elfyn Evans, who leads with 201 points. Takamoto Katsuta is third with 160 points, followed closely by Oliver Solberg at 156 points. The competitive nature of the championship means that the remaining rallies are critical for Pajari's title aspirations, which remain very much alive.
Toyota's Historical Dominance in WRC
Toyota's recent success has firmly established them as the benchmark in the World Rally Championship, particularly since the introduction of the current Rally1 regulations in 2022. The Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 car has proven exceptionally competitive, winning 56 of the 77 rallies contested to date. This sustained performance has been instrumental in the team’s consistent manufacturers' title wins, reinforcing their status as a powerhouse in global rallying.
Juha Kankkunen, Toyota's deputy team principal, who has overseen the team's 2025 and 2026 triumphs, expressed immense satisfaction with the achievement. Kankkunen, a four-time world champion as a driver, was also involved in Toyota’s 1993 and 1994 title wins, further highlighting his deep connection to the brand's rallying heritage. His experiences span both Toyota’s and Lancia’s championship eras, giving him a unique perspective on the team's current success.
Impact on Drivers' Championship
While the manufacturers' title is secured for Toyota, the focus now intensifies on the individual drivers' championship, where four rounds still need to be contested. Sami Pajari’s position as a key contender means that his performances in these final events will be crucial for his overall standing. The internal competition within Toyota, as well as the challenges from other manufacturers, will add an interesting dynamic to the championship's conclusion.
Kankkunen noted the camaraderie within the team, stating, "The atmosphere in the team and the way that everyone works together is fantastic, also with our drivers: when they are on the stages they are fighting each other hard and pushing for the best results, but they also get on and help each other and the team very well." This collaborative environment, combined with the drivers' competitive spirit, is expected to drive strong performances through the end of the season.
Looking Ahead
The remaining four rounds of the WRC season present ample opportunities for Sami Pajari to close the gap to the championship leader, Elfyn Evans. The confirmed strength of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 and the strategic support from Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2 position Pajari well for a strong finish to his 2026 campaign. His progress will be closely watched by Finnish motorsport enthusiasts and the broader rally community as he vies for the coveted drivers' title.
Status And Sources
This story is labelled Analysis, which means this is our reading of facts that are already established. The rules behind those labels are in the editorial policy, and the desk that published it is Aino Virtanen.
Written from the following reporting. Each link goes to the newsroom's own page, not to an aggregator:
- Motorsport.commotorsport.com
