GAZOO Racing celebrates historic hat-trick at Rally del Paraguay
GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (GR-WRT) secured a historic victory at Rally del Paraguay, with Sami Pajari and co-driver Marko Salminen claiming their third consecutive FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) win in the No. 5 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1.
The victory follows the pair’s wins in Estonia and Finland, making Pajari and Salminen the first crew in the 2026 championship to secure their first three WRC victories in consecutive rounds.
Rally del Paraguay proved particularly demanding, with crews facing rough surfaces, sharp rocks, high temperatures and the persistent possibility of heavy rain. Toyota’s GR YARIS Rally1 cars were equipped with snorkel systems typically used at Safari Rally Kenya to prepare for the challenging conditions.
Pajari and Salminen initially suffered a setback when a water leak during the opening stage dropped them to seventh overall. After managing the issue until repairs could be completed at service, the Toyota crew mounted a strong recovery and moved into the lead by the end of the opening leg.
They continued to build their advantage, establishing a 24.1-second lead during the penultimate leg before finishing the rally 25.8 seconds ahead of their closest rivals.
Akio Toyoda, Chairman of GR-WRT, congratulated the crew and the wider team, praising their performance during a challenging rally week. He also highlighted the significance of three consecutive victories and encouraged Pajari and Salminen to continue their championship fight with three rounds remaining.
The Paraguay result keeps Pajari second in the drivers’ championship, while GR-WRT crews now occupy the top four positions in the standings. Toyota has also strengthened its position at the top of the manufacturers’ championship, holding a 173-point advantage with three rounds remaining.
The next round of the 2026 FIA WRC will be Rally Chile, scheduled for September 10–13 in the forests of Chile’s Bio Bío region. The event will feature fast and technical gravel stages combining smooth and abrasive surfaces.
