Sami Pajari explains that Enni Malkonen was informed about the decision to terminate their partnership and says that maybe the time of the announcement was wrong.
Pajari and Malkonen are the WRC2 Champions for the 2024 season as Rally Japan defined the WRC2 Champion, but Pajari stated to DirtFish that he would find a new navigator for the next season which meant that Malkonen would not read the pacenotes to Pajari anymore. Together they managed to win nine times and to be at the podium positions in 14 rallies while they were the WRC3 Open Champions back in 2022. Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT announced today that Pajari will do a full season with them next year driving the fourth GR Yaris Rally1 and it is expected that he will confirm his next navigator soon.
"My announcement that I will not continue my collaboration with Enni has sparked a lot of discussion and speculation in recent days", Pajari said.
"If I’m honest, the communication and timing of this matter could have been handled better.
"I should have been clearer in explaining the reasons behind my decision and also that this decision had already been discussed between us earlier, so it did not come as a surprise at the end of the last rally.
"I only shared my decision on Sunday because we had wanted to focus on our final rally together.
"These kinds of decisions are never easy.
"While our collaboration has been very successful, there have also been difficult moments just like in any relationship, and as young competitors in this sport we have both been still finding our way.
"As a driver I need to make sure I have the best possible partnership that I can in the car, and I am truly sorry that we couldn’t find a resolution to continue.
|"I want to emphasize that I am very proud of and grateful for our shared achievements.
"I hope you can understand that we both want to look to the future now and refrain from further comment".
Photo Credits: Toyota
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