Toyota's journey to the 2025 WRC manufacturers' title was not without its twists, one of which came from an unexpected source: young Finnish driver Sami Pajari. Competing for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2, Pajari's strong performance in Paraguay inadvertently postponed Toyota's championship celebrations, forcing the team to wait until the next round in Chile.
Pajari drives a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, but his manufacturers' points go to the WRT2 team rather than the main Toyota squad. This unique situation meant that instead of helping Toyota secure the title earlier, Pajari's impressive drive became an obstacle. The delay added an intriguing subplot to Toyota's championship run.
Takamoto Katsuta, one of Toyota's main drivers, acknowledged the absurdity of the situation. "But he is doing a really good job. The situation is obviously different when it comes to manufacturers' points, but he is part of the team. He is one of us. We are all happy when he wins or achieves a good result," Katsuta said. Katsuta himself has won two rallies this season, though only his Croatia Rally victory contributed to manufacturers' points. In Kenya, Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg, and Sebastien Ogier scored for Toyota.
For Katsuta, Toyota's tenth manufacturers' title is a testament to the team's collective effort. "So many people are involved in such a huge effort. Everyone works incredibly hard and takes care of even the smallest details to keep moving forwards. That work has now been rewarded with a tenth manufacturers' championship. A huge thank you to every member of the team," he said.
Katsuta also highlighted the significant role of Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda in fostering a positive environment. "Without that kind of commitment, nobody could feel as at home in the team. I always think everyone is able to work hard in such a positive atmosphere precisely because the chairman has brought this kind of stability to the operation. Hopefully, we can continue like this for as long as possible," he added.
Furthermore, Katsuta emphasized the broader impact on the sport. "It is, of course, also a big thing for the sport as a whole. His passion and love for the sport, along with all the emotion he brings, help us enormously. I believe everyone in the team feels the same way. We have to keep working. I especially need to work even harder to improve and try to achieve good results for the team. That is the most important thing for me," he concluded.
Despite the delay, Toyota finally clinched the manufacturers' championship in Chile. The celebration was a testament to the team's strength and collaboration, including Pajari's contribution from the satellite team. This story shows that in motorsport, victories can come from unexpected places.
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