Sami Pajari has done it at home.
The 24-year-old Finn, with co-driver Marko Salminen, won the 75th Secto Rally Finland for Toyota Gazoo Racing — his second straight WRC win after taking his maiden victory in Estonia just two weeks ago.
Pajari inherited the lead on Saturday afternoon after long-time leader Sébastien Ogier crashed out. From there, he kept his cool on home roads and sealed the win on Sunday ahead of Oliver Solberg and championship leader Elfyn Evans.
History made in Jyväskylä
- At 24, Pajari becomes the youngest driver ever to win Rally Finland.
- It’s Finland’s 200th WRC victory, in the rally’s 75th edition. The event started as the 1000 Lakes Rally in 1951.
- It’s also a home 1-3 for Toyota Gazoo Racing, whose HQ is in Jyväskylä.
“It was a big thing to win in Estonia, but a home win is always something special,” Pajari said.
“Winning at home has not been so easy for the Finns. But after one really crazy rally, we made it.”
Evans rounded out a Toyota podium sweep and grabbed maximum bonus points by winning the final Power Stage.
For Finland, on its 75th anniversary, there couldn’t have been a better story.
