Sami Pajari will make his top-class debut during the eighth round of the 2024 WRC season, Rally Latvia.
Stepping Up
Sami Pajari has been a star for the last two seasons in the WRC2 category. Spending last season in a Toksport run Škoda, Pajari took home his first WRC2 win at his home event in Finland. He also managed to take home podiums in Sweden, Estonia and Chile to finish seventh in the championship. This season Pajari moved to a Printsport run Toyota Yaris Rally2. The 22-year-old has finished on the podium at every event he’s scored points at. Finishing second in Sweden and taking home the win in Sardinia earlier this month. For Rally Latvia Pajari will step into a fourth Toyota Yaris Rally1. Pajari will join Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta and one of Kalle Rovanperä or Sébastien Ogier for the event.
Not The Only One
Pajari won’t be the only one making his top-class debut in Latvia. As Martins Sesks will also be making his debut that weekend. However, Sesks will be driving a hybrid-less M-Sport Ford Puma. Pajari will be driving a full-spec Toyota Yaris Rally1. Pajari and Sesks have a bit of history with one another. As both drivers battled one another in the Junior WRC Championship years ago. I’m 2020 Sesks finished second in the championship, just three points ahead of Pajari. The next year Pajari won the championship while Sesks finished third.
What To Expect From Pajari
Much like Sesks, don’t expect much from Pajari over the course of the weekend. As he will have to learn a brand new car throughout the weekend. That being said I wouldn’t be surprised if the 22-year-old put up some top-five stage times throughout the weekend. If I had to guess an overall finishing position for Pajari it would be somewhere between 5th and 7th out of the 10 rally1 cars attending the event. Looking at past statistics Pajari hasn’t done bad on fast gravel rallies, which is what Latvia is. Once he learns the car he shouldn’t have a difficult time keeping up with some of the regulars like Takamoto Katsuta. Plus that prediction also keeps in mind others may have issues throughout the weekend.
The second day of Rally Italia Sardegna 2024 has come to a close. Sami Pajari retained the event lead after the day.
SS5, Tempio Pausania 1
Yohan Rossel kicked off the second day with a stage win. Setting a time 4.6 seconds faster than Sami Pajari to top the stage. Emil Lindholm rounded out the top three times on the stage, finishing 3.9 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS6, Tula-Erula 1
Yohan Rossel also took the stage win on the sixth stage of Rally Italia Sardegna 2024. With a time 17.3 seconds faster than Sami Pajari to top the stage. Teemu Suninen finished third fastest on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS7, Tempio Pausania 2
Yohan Rossel also took the stage win on the third stage of the day. Finishing with a time 8.7 seconds faster than Sami Pajari. Pierre-Louis Loubet was third fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS8, Tula-Erula 2
Yohan Rossel also took the stage win on the eighth stage of Rally Italia Sardegna 2024. As Rossel set a time 13.9 seconds faster than Sami Pajari to complete a sweep of the morning loop. Jan Solans rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS9, Monte Lerno 1
Yohan Rossel kicked off the afternoon loop with yet another stage win. Finishing 8.8 seconds faster than Josh McErlean to take his fifth stage win of the day. Sami Pajari finished third fastest on the stage, 2.1 seconds slower than McErlean.
SS10, Coiluna-Loelle 1
Yohan Rossel’s domination continued on the tenth stage of Rally Italia Sardegna 2024. With the Frenchman taking yet another stage win. With a time nine seconds faster than Sami Pajari to win the stage. Josh McErlean had the third fastest time on the stage, four seconds slower than Pajari.
SS11, Monte Lerno 2
If you guessed Yohan Rossel took home the stage win on SS11 you’d be correct. As Rossel finished with a time 5.4 seconds faster than Sami Pajari. Kajetan Kajetanowicz rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.9 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS12, Coiluna-Loelle 2
Yohan Rossel took the stage win on the twelfth stage of Rally Italia Sardegna 2024. With a time 6.6 seconds faster than Jan Solans to win his eighth consecutive stage. Sami Pajari rounded out the top three on the stage, finishing one second slower than Solans.
What To Expect From Rally Italia Sardegna 2024 Day Three
The third and final day of Rally Italia Sardegna 2024 will see drivers contest 39.30 km across four stages.
The first day of Rally Italia Sardegna 2024 has come to an end. Sami Pajari leads the WRC2 class after the day.
SS1, Osilo-Tergu 1
Sami Pajari kicked off the weekend with a stage win. Setting a time 7.5 seconds faster than Pierre-Louis Loubet to top the stage. Marco Bulicia finished third fastest on the stage, 9.7 seconds slower than Pajari and 2.2 seconds slower than Loubet. Josh McErlean posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Bulicia. Yohan Rossel rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.6 seconds slower than McErlean.
SS2, Sedini-Castelsardo 1
Pierre-Louis Loubet took home the stage win on the second stage of Rally Italia Sardegna 2024. With a time 7.3 seconds faster than fellow Frenchman Yohan Rossel. Marco Bulicia was once again third fastest on the stage, this time 7.7 seconds slower than Loubet and 0.4 seconds slower than Rossel. Sami Pajari set the fourth fastest time on the stage, one second slower than Bulicia. Teemu Suninen rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS3, Osilo-Tergu 2
Georg Linnamäe topped the second running of the Osilo-Tergu stage. Setting a time 0.6 seconds faster than Sami Pajari to top the stage. Jan Solans finished third fastest on the stage 4.8 seconds slower than Linnamäe and 4.2 seconds slower than Pajari. Josh McErlean was fourth fastest on the stage, 5.2 seconds slower than Solans. Robert Virves rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than McErlean.
SS4, Sedini-Castelsardo 2
Sami Pajari capped off the first day of Rally Italia Sardegna 2024 with a stage win. As the Finnish driver set a time 3.5 seconds faster than Pierre-Louis Loubet to top the stage. Yohan Rossel finished third fastest on the stage, 3.9 seconds slower than Pajari and 0.4 seconds slower than Loubet. Georg Linnamäe was fourth fastest on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Rossel. Fabrizio Zaldivar rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.2 seconds slower than Linnamäe.
What To Expect From Rally Italia Sardegna 2024 Day Two
The second day of Rally Italia Sardegna 2024 will see drivers contest 149 km across eight stages. The day will feature no midday service. Sami Pajari takes an 18.3-second lead over Pierre-Louis Loubet into the second day. Jan Solans sits third overall, 28.6 seconds behind Pajari and 10.3 seconds behind Loubet.
The sixth round of the World Rally Championship season continues this weekend with Rally Italia Sardegna 2024.
Championship Rundown
Yohan Rossel leads the WRC2 championship heading into Rally Italia Sardegna 2024. With a 10-point lead over Oliver Solberg who won’t be competing this weekend. Nikolay Gryazin sits third in the championship three points behind Solberg. Grayzin will be competing this weekend but only for team points. Niclas Ciamin is fourth in the championship heading into round six, 4 points behind Gryazin. A duo of Spanish drivers round out the top five. As both Jan Solans and Pepe López sit fifth in the championship just three points behind Ciamin.
What To Expect From Rally Italia Sardegna 2024
Rally Italia Sardegna 2024 will see the debut of a new test format for the WRC. As the entire event will take place in just three days, including shakedown. Four stages will take place on the first day which will see drivers contest 77.82 km of stages. The second day will see drivers contest 149.00 km across eight stages. Super Sunday will see drivers contest the final 39.30 km across four stages. The shorter event will give drivers less time to recover from mistakes. Naturally, drivers will be pushed to their limits throughout the event.
Drivers Withdraw
Oliver Solberg and Pepe López have withdrawn from the event. Solberg was not scoring points this weekend but was instead using this weekend for experience. He has withdrawn due to illness. López was withdrawn as a team decision ahead of the event start.
Stacked Entry List Once Again
Rally Italia 2024 will once again feature a stacked list of drivers. Including the likes of Yohan Rossel, Sami Pajari, Teemu Suninen and Pierre-Louis Loubet. Overall there are multiple drivers who could take home the win this weekend. Including Josh McErlean who had a really good event last time out in Portugal.
The fourth and final day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024 has come to an end. Jan Solans held on to take the stage win.
SS19, Cabeceiras de Basto 1
Sami Pajari kicked off the final day with a stage win. As the Finnish driver set a time 0.7 seconds faster than Josh McErlean to top the stage. Jan Solans finished third fastest on the stage, five seconds slower than McErlean. Lauri Joona was fourth fastest on the stage, 3.3 seconds slower than Solans. Yohan Rossel rounded out the top five on the stage, 11.3 seconds slower than Joona.
SS20, Fafe 1
Sami Pajari also took home the stage win on the twentieth stage of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024. With a time 1.6 seconds faster than Josh McErlean. Jan Solans finished third fastest on the stage, 3.1 seconds slower than McErlean. Yohan Rossel set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Solans. Georg Linnamäe rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Rossel.
SS21, Cabeceiras de Basto 2
Jan Solans took his first stage win of the day on the event’s penultimate stage. Setting a time 6.3 seconds faster than Yohan Rossel. Josh McErlean finished third fastest on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Rossel. Lauri Joona was fourth fastest on the stage, five seconds slower than McErlean. Martin Prokop rounded out the top five on the stage, 8.6 seconds slower than Joona.
SS22, Fafe 2 Wolf Powerstage
Georg Linnamäe topped the final stage of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024. With a time 2.8 seconds faster than Josh McErlean. Yohan Rossel finished with the third fastest time on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than McErlean. Jan Solans set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.5 seconds slower than Rossel. Fabrizio Zaldivar rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Solans.
Day Three Recap
The third day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024 has come to an end. Jan Solans took the WRC2 class lead after a chaotic day.
SS10, Felgueiras 1
Sami Pajari kicked off the penultimate day with a stage win. As the Finnish driver set a time 1.2 seconds faster than Josh McErlean to top the stage. Oliver Solberg was third fastest on the stage, finishing 0.9 seconds slower than McErlean. Gus Greensmith was fourth fastest on the stage, two seconds slower than Solberg. Yohan Rossel rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.9 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS11, Montim 1
Kris Meeke took the stage win on the second stage of the day. Finishing with a time 0.2 seconds faster than Sami Pajari. Jan Solans set the third fastest time on the stage, 1.5 seconds slower than Pajari. Yohan Rossel was fourth fastest on the stage, 1.2 seconds slower than Solans. Gus Greensmith rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.8 seconds slower than Rossel.
SS12, Amarante 1
Yohan Rossel topped the twelfth stage of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024. With a time 6.9 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith on the stage. Sami Pajari finished third fastest on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Greensmith. Josh McErlean set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Pajari. Jan Solans rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than McErlean.
SS13, Paredes 1
Josh McEarlean capped off the morning loop with his first stage win of the day. Setting a time 0.1 seconds faster than Jan Solans. Georg Linnamäe finished third fastest on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Solans. Roope Korhonen posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, one second slower than Linnamäe. Lauri Joona rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Korhonen.
SS14, Felgueiras 2
Sami Pajari kicked off the afternoon loop in the same fashion as the morning loop, with a stage win. As Pajari set a time 1.6 seconds faster than Yohan Rossel to take the stage win. Georg Linnamäe finished third fastest on the stage, 1.7 seconds slower than Rossel. Josh McErlean was fourth fastest on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Linnamäe. Kris Meeke rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.6 seconds slower than McErlean.
SS15, Montim 2
Sami Pajari also took home the stage win on the fifteenth stage of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024. With a time 0.8 seconds faster than Yohan Rossel. Josh McErlean finished third fastest on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Rossel. Kris Meeke set the fourth fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than McErlean. Jan Solans rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.6 seconds slower than Meeke.
SS16, Amarante 2
Sami Pajari took his third consecutive stage win on SS16. Setting a time 0.5 seconds faster than Jan Solans to take the stage win. Kris Meeke finished third fastest on the stage, 2.3 seconds slower than Solans. Yohan Rossel posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.8 seconds slower than Meeke. Josh McErlean rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.9 seconds slower than Rossel.
SS17, Paredes 2
Yohan Rossel took home the stage win on the penultimate stage of the day. With a time seven seconds faster than Jan Solans. Sami Pajari and Georg Linnamäe tied for third fastest on the stage, with both drivers setting a time 2.3 seconds slower than Solans. Roope Korhenon rounded out the top five times on the stage, finishing 1.2 seconds slower than Pajari and Linnamäe.
SS18, Lousada
Yohan Rossel also took home the stage win on the final stage of the third day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024. Setting a time 0.6 seconds faster than Sami Pajari. Georg Linnamäe finished third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Pajari. Jan Solans was fourth fastest on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Linnamäe. Martin Prokop rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.3 seconds slower than Solans.
What To Expect From Day Four
The fourth and final day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal will see drivers contest 62.18 km across 4 stages. The longest of these stages is the 19.91 km Cabeceiras de Basto stage. While the shortest is the famed 11.18 Fafe stage, which will serve as the Wolf Powerstage.
Day Two Recap
Kalle Rovanperä and Oliver Solberg have retired from Vodafone Rally De Portugal on day three. Find out more about the retirements below.
Rolling Rovanperä
Kalle Rovanperä entered the penultimate day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024 with a one-second lead over Sebastien Ogier. On the day’s opening stage, Rovanperä expanded his lead to 6.7 seconds over Ogier. Rovanperä’s expanded lead was short-lived, however. As I’m SS11 the two-time Rally Portugal winner rolled his Toyota Yaris Rally1 onto its side up against a tree. This left Rovanperä with no option but to retire as he couldn’t roll the car back over on his own to continue day three.
Will Rovanperä Return?
Chances are yes Rovanperä will return for Super Sunday tomorrow. However, this isn’t confirmed as at this moment it’s unknown what damage his car has, if any. All we know at this time is he’s out for the day. It’s an unfortunate end for Rovanperä who was looking to win his third consecutive Rally Portugal this weekend. Joining the likes of Hannu Mikkola and Miki Biasion with three wins at the legendary event. That hope will have to wait for another year. Sebastien Ogier now holds a 3.4-second lead over Ott Tänak.
Solberg Also Rolls
If you had told me before the start of day three that both the event leader and the WRC2 leader would roll a couple of hundred meters from each other I probably would’ve laughed. However, that is exactly what happened. As Oliver Solberg rolled his Škoda Fabia a couple of corners after where Rovanperä rolled. Solberg started the third day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal with a 7.3-second lead over Yohan Rossel who he co-leads the WRC2 championship with. After finishing third in the WRC2 category on the day’s opening stage, Solberg expanded his lead over Rossel to 10.2 seconds. Much like Rovanperä that expanded lead was short-lived.
Will Solberg Return?
Unlike Rovanperä, Solberg rolled his car multiple times after launching off a berm on the inside of a corner. Solberg rolled three or four times before landing. From the looks of it, his Škoda had suspension damage as the driver-side front wheel was down. It won’t be a quick fix and the Swede is definitely done for the day. Whether or not he returns for the final day tomorrow is up to his team’s mechanics. Yohan Rossel now holds a 5.9-second lead over Gus Greensmith.
The second day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024 has come to a close. Oliver Solberg took the WRC2 class lead after the day’s eight stages.
SS2, Mortágua 1
Oliver Solberg kicked off the first full day of action with a stage win. As the Swede set a time 7.3 seconds faster than Yohan Rossel to take his first stage win of the weekend. Sami Pajari was third fastest on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Rossel. Gus Greensmith finished fourth quickest on the stage, 5.7 seconds slower than Pajari. Lauri Joona rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.1 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS3, Lousã 1
Pierre-Louis Loubet took home the stage win on the third stage of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024. With a time 0.1 seconds faster than Josh McErlean to win the stage. Gus Greensmith finished third fastest on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than McErlean. Oliver Solberg set the fourth fastest time, 0.9 seconds slower than Greensmith. Kris Meeke rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.2 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS4, Góis 1
Gus Greensmith topped the fourth stage of the weekend. Setting a time 2.5 seconds faster than teammate Pierre-Louis Loubet. Yohan Rossel and Teemu Suninen tied for the third fastest time on the stage, with both drivers finishing 0.7 seconds slower than Loubet. Oliver Solberg rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.7 seconds slower than Rossel and Suninen.
SS5, Arganil 1
Oliver Solberg capped off the morning loop in the same fashion he started it in, with a stage win. As the championship co-leader set a time 5.1 seconds faster than Pierre-Louis Loubet to take the stage win. Yohan Rossel finished third fastest on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Loubet. Gus Greensmith posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, finishing 4.9 seconds slower than Rossel. Sami Pajari rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.1 seconds slower than Greensmith.
SS6, Lousã 2
Pierre-Louis Loubet claimed the stage win on the sixth stage of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024. With a time 0.5 seconds faster than fellow countryman Yohan Rossel. Gus Greensmith finished third fastest on the stage, one second slower than Rossel. Sami Pajari set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Greensmith. Jan Solans rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.6 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS7, Góis 2
Gus Greensmith claimed the stage win on the seventh stage of the event. Posting a time 0.6 seconds faster than Yohan Rossel to take the stage win. Sami Pajari finished third fastest on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Rossel. Oliver Solberg set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.4 seconds slower than Pajari. Jan Solans rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.6 seconds slower than Solberg.
SS8, Arganil 2
Oliver Solberg took home the stage win on the penultimate stage of the day. With a time 0.4 seconds faster than Gus Greensmith. Yohan Rossel set the third fastest time on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Greensmith. Georg Linnamäe finished fourth fastest on the stage, 6.4 seconds slower than Rossel. Lauri Joona and Roope Korhonen rounded out the top five times on the stage. With both drivers finishing two seconds slower than Linnamäe.
SS9, Mortágua 2
Oliver Solberg capped off the second day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024 with a stage win. Solberg set a time 5.2 seconds faster than Sami Pajari. Yohan Rossel finished third fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Pajari. Lauri Joona posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 5.3 seconds slower than Rossel. Gus Greensmith rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 2.6 seconds slower than Joona.
What To Expect From Day Three
The third day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal is also the longest, as drivers will contest 145.02 km across another eight stages. The third day’s longest stage is the monster 37.24 km Amarante stage which will push drivers to their limits. While the shortest stage is the 8.69 km Montim stage. The day will feature a single 44-minute service between the two loops.
Day One Recap
The first day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024 has come to a close. Thierry Neuville leads after the days lone stage.
Shakedown
Gus Greensmith topped the shakedown stage in the WRC2 category. With a time 0.3 seconds faster than fellow Toksport teammate Pierre-Louis Loubet. Oliver Solberg finished third fastest, 0.8 seconds slower than Greensmith and 0.5 seconds slower than Loubet. Sami Pajari posted the fourth fastest time in the shakedown stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Solberg. Roope Korhenon rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.2 seconds slower than Pajari.
SS1, Figueira da Foz
WRC2 championship leader Yohan Rossel took home an early advantage on SS1 with a stage win. As the Frenchman set a time 0.5 seconds faster than fellow countryman Pierre-Louis Loubet. Kris Meeke finished third fastest on the opening stage of Vodafone Rally De Portugal 2024. Finishing 1.1 seconds slower than Rossel and 0.6 seconds slower than Loubet. Oliver Solberg was fourth quickest on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Meeke. Armindo Araújo rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.2 seconds slower than Solberg.
What To Expect From Vodafone Rally De Portugal Day Two
The second day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal is where the action truly gets underway. Drivers will contest 126.90 km across eight stages. The day’s longest stage will be the 18.72 km Agranil stage. While the shortest is the 12.28 km Lousã stage. Drivers may opt to drive more on the side of caution. As the day doesn’t feature a midday service. In addition to not having a midday service. Drivers will have to use the same tires as day one’s SuperSpecial stage for the morning loop. This will add an additional challenge for the drivers during the opening loop of four stages. Yohan Rossel will be the first WRC2 car on the road, followed by Oliver Solberg and Nikolay Gryazin.
The 2024 World Rally Championship season continues this weekend with round five Vodafone Rally De Portugal.
Championship Rundown
Yohan Rossel and Oliver Solberg sit tied for the WRC2 championship lead heading into the fifth round of the season. Both drivers sit just three points ahead of Nikolay Gryazin. Solberg, Rossel and Gryazin have each used two-point scoring rounds. Rossel and Solberg have elected to score points this weekend. While Gryazin is only scoring team points. Niclas Ciamin who is absent this weekend sits fourth in the championship, 4 points behind Grayzin. Pepe López who is scoring points this weekend rounds out the top five in the championship, sitting 3 points behind Ciamin.
Stacked Entry List
Several drivers will make their season debuts this weekend. Including Teemu Suninen, Pierre-Louis Loubet, Kris Meeke Josh McErlean and Marco Bulicia. Joining them will be championship contenders Oliver Solberg, Yohan Rossel, Sami Pajari and Gus Greensmith. Australian Lewis Bates will also make his WRC2 debut this weekend behind the wheel of a Toyota Yaris. All things considered, it should be a close race in WRC2
What To Expect From Vodafone Rally De Portugal
Drivers will contest a total of 337.04 km across 22 special stages.
Day One
The first day of the event will see drivers take on a 2.94 km SuperSpecial stage to kick off the event. Nothing much should come from this stage, at most only a couple of seconds are lost.
Day Two
The second day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal is where the action truly gets underway. As drivers will contest 126.90 km across eight stages. The day’s longest stage will be the 18.72 km Agranil stage. While the shortest is the 12.28 km Lousã stage. Drivers may opt to drive more on the side of caution. As the day doesn’t feature a midday service.
Day Three
The third day of the event is also the longest, as drivers will contest 145.02 km across another eight stages. The third day’s longest stage is the monster 37.24 km Amarante stage which will push drivers to their limits. While the shortest stage is the 8.69 km Montim stage. The day will feature a single 44-minute service between the two loops.
Day Four
The fourth and final day of Vodafone Rally De Portugal will see drivers contest 62.18 km across 4 stages. The longest of these stages is the 19.91 km Cabeceiras de Basto stage. While the shortest is the famed 11.18 Fafe stage, which will serve as the Wolf Powerstage.