Sami Pajari Becomes Youngest-Ever WRC Finland Winner in 2026

Sami Pajari made history at WRC Finland 2026 by becoming the youngest driver ever to win the event at the age of 24, fulfilling a childhood dream of standing on the top step of the podium at his home rally.

The previous record belonged to Kalle Rovanpera, who won WRC Finland last year at an age two months and one day older than Pajari was when he secured the 2026 victory.

The result was the second WRC victory of Pajari's career and his second in succession. The Toyota driver had claimed his maiden top-level win at Rally Estonia just two weeks before returning home and triumphing in Finland.

Baca JugaSami Pajari Jadi Pemenang Termuda WRC Finlandia 2026

“It’s still a bit too soon to say much. I don’t really know what to say. The biggest feeling right now is relief. Maybe tomorrow morning, when I wake up, it’ll all sink in. It’s simply incredible,” Pajari said.

The achievement carried additional significance because Pajari grew up surrounded by the history of his home rally. Together with co-driver Marko Salminen, he has now joined the select group of Finnish crews to win one of the World Rally Championship's most iconic events.

“Marko and I grew up in this environment, watching all those legends driving this rally in the Group B era and in all those iconic cars. Now, all of a sudden, we’re standing on the top step of the podium alongside them. It’s just crazy,” Pajari said.

For Salminen, the result was also his second overall WRC victory as a co-driver. He described winning his home event as the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. “I’ve always wanted to win my home event. I’ve dreamed about this since I was a child, so it’s unbelievable,” he said.

With back-to-back victories and the record as the youngest-ever WRC Finland winner, the weekend in Jyväskylä represents a major milestone in Pajari's career and places his name firmly within Finland's long rallying history.