At Rally del Paraguay, driver Sami Pajari and co-driver Marko Salminen secured their third consecutive FIA World Rally Championship victory in the No. 5 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1. The result marked an unprecedented milestone, making the duo the first crew in championship history to take their first three career wins in successive rounds.
Pajari Wins Rally del Paraguay
The victory in South America follows the crew’s previous consecutive triumphs at Rally Estonia and Rally Finland. Consequently, Pajari maintained second position in the overall drivers’ standings. GAZOO Racing World Rally Team drivers now occupy the top four spots in the championship table, expanding Toyota’s lead in the manufacturers’ championship to 173 points with three events remaining in the season.
“To everyone on the team who competed in Rally del Paraguay, and to everyone who worked so hard to make the event happen, thank you and congratulations on getting through such a challenging rally week.”
Akio Toyoda, GR-WRT Chairman
Recovery After Early Technical Setback
The Finnish crew experienced an early technical hurdle during the opening stage when a water leak dropped their vehicle to seventh place overall. However, Pajari and Salminen managed the issue on stage before maintenance technicians resolved the leak during the scheduled service break. Following the repairs, the pair regained pace to lead the rally by the conclusion of the first leg.
During the penultimate leg, the crew extended their lead to 24.1 seconds. Ultimately, they concluded the rally with an overall time of 3 hours, 13 minutes, and 28.5 seconds, finishing 25.8 seconds ahead of their closest rivals in the automotive competition.
Snorkel Systems and Demanding Terrain
The challenging stages of Rally del Paraguay featured heavy compressions, hidden sharp rocks beneath clay surfaces, and elevated ambient temperatures. Additionally, the constant risk of torrential rainfall prompted engineers to install specialized snorkel air-intake systems on the cars, equipment typically reserved for rough conditions at Safari Rally Kenya.
Toyota has maintained active participation in international motorsport disciplines for more than 60 years. Insights gathered from competitive rally events continue to inform production vehicle engineering across global markets.
Preparations for Rally Chile
The championship moves next to the Bio Bío region for Rally Chile, scheduled for 10 to 13 September 2026. Drivers will face fast forest tracks featuring a mix of abrasive and smooth gravel stages alongside the Pacific coastline.
