Sami Pajari More Confident Ahead of Rally Monte Carlo 2026

WRC, Sportrik Media - Sami Pajari begins his second full season in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) top category with Toyota Gazoo Racing at the iconic Rally Monte Carlo 2026, carrying significantly higher confidence compared to his Rally1 debut season.

Rally Monte Carlo has long been regarded as one of the most demanding season openers in the WRC. Pajari learned that reality first-hand last year, when his rally ended on the final Sunday after being caught out by an unexpected ice patch. As preparations intensify for the 2026 edition, weather once again looms as a defining factor, with cold temperatures, the possibility of snowfall, and constantly changing grip levels expected—hallmarks of Monte Carlo’s unique challenge within the official WRC 2026 calendar, detailed at https://sportrik.com/wrc/calendar.

Entering this season, Pajari believes his technical foundation and understanding of Rally1 machinery have reached a far more robust level. Completing a full campaign at the highest level, combined with experience across varying surfaces, has provided critical references for setup decisions and risk management. In Monte Carlo, where tyre choice and grip assessment can decide a rally within a single stage, this experience is expected to play a decisive role in shaping early positions in the WRC 2026 standings, which evolve throughout the season at https://sportrik.com/wrc/klasemen.

“Of course, it’s much easier now. The mechanics have done a very good job during the test days, and we have adapted very well to these conditions. I’m mostly happy with the car,” Pajari said.

While the car’s core specification remains largely unchanged from last season, Pajari emphasises that the most meaningful improvement lies in confidence and understanding. In snowy Monte Carlo conditions, external variables remain unpredictable, but a deeper awareness of the Rally1 car’s limits allows for a more measured and controlled approach, particularly through the long transitions and mixed-surface stages that define the event.

“Whether it’s dry asphalt or thick snow and ice, you never really know what will happen. The car is almost the same as last year, but overall I feel much more confident and understand its capabilities better,” he explained.

Pajari also underlined the exceptional complexity of Rally Monte Carlo, noting that snow and ice are only part of the challenge. The character of the special stages varies dramatically, with some sections offering high grip comparable to a circuit, while others deteriorate rapidly due to shadowed ice and changing temperatures in the mountains.

“Monte Carlo is probably the most challenging rally of the entire season, or at least one of the hardest. There’s a huge range of conditions, with snow and ice, and some stages that can feel almost like a racetrack,” Pajari stressed.

Drawing on multiple previous appearances at Monte Carlo, Pajari is approaching the rally with a deliberate focus on mental balance. Maintaining concentration over a long and punishing event, while avoiding unnecessary pressure early in the season, is central to his strategy. This mindset is aimed at building consistency and momentum across the wider 2026 campaign, rather than chasing short-term gains.

“I try to stay positive and not get too stressed. This can be a very tough rally, but it can also be an extremely enjoyable one to drive,” he concluded.

Armed with greater experience, improved technical confidence, and a clear understanding of Monte Carlo’s unique demands, Pajari’s performance at the season opener will serve as an early indicator of his consistency in 2026, while also influencing the initial competitive landscape of the championship before the WRC moves on to its next round.