Enni Mälkönen caused Sami Pajari to receive a lot of harsh reactions

Sami Pajari Responds to Backlash Over Split with Co-Driver Enni Mälkönen

Sami Pajari, a rising star in the World Rally Championship (WRC), has faced significant backlash after announcing his decision to part ways with his co-driver Enni Mälkönen ahead of the 2025 season. Pajari, who will drive full-time for Toyota Rally1 in the upcoming season, made the announcement on Sunday during Rally Japan, the same day the pair celebrated their WRC2 title win. The news surprised many in the motorsport world, particularly given their success together. Pajari’s decision has sparked an intense reaction from fans, and his response to the backlash has become a subject of interest.

Mälkönen’s Response and Online Support

Following Pajari’s announcement, Enni Mälkönen took to social media to share her shock and disappointment over the decision. She posted a heartfelt message explaining that she was caught off guard by Pajari’s choice, a sentiment echoed by many fans who voiced their support for her online. Mälkönen’s message quickly gained traction on social media, with numerous fans offering words of encouragement and expressing their belief that she had been a key part of Pajari’s success in recent years. The response highlighted the deep emotional connection many fans had with the pair, and the decision to part ways was seen by many as an unexpected and difficult turn of events.

In her post, Mälkönen thanked Pajari for the time they spent together but also stated that the timing of the announcement left her with many unanswered questions. The online support for Mälkönen further fueled the conversation, with many rallying behind her as the wronged party in the situation.

Pajari’s Clarification on the Decision

In the face of growing criticism, Sami Pajari decided to publicly address the situation and clarify his decision. He released a statement explaining his side of the story, acknowledging that the timing and communication around the breakup could have been handled better. “The announcement about not continuing with Enni has sparked a lot of discussion and speculation in the past few days,” Pajari stated in his message. “To be honest, the communication and timing of the matter could have been handled better. I should have explained the reasons behind my decision more clearly. This decision had been discussed between us earlier, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise at the end of the last race.”

Pajari explained that the decision to announce the breakup after their final race together was meant to allow the focus to remain on their achievements. He wanted to celebrate their WRC2 title win without the distraction of personal matters overshadowing the accomplishment. Despite the positive aspects of their collaboration, Pajari admitted that, like any professional partnership, they had faced challenges. “While our partnership has been very successful, there were also tough moments, just like in any relationship,” he continued. “As young competitors in this sport, we are both still finding our way.”

Pajari Expresses Gratitude for Their Achievements

Pajari concluded his statement by emphasizing his pride and gratitude for the achievements they had shared as a team. He expressed his belief that both he and Mälkönen needed to move forward and focus on the future, putting their differences aside for the good of their respective careers. “I want to emphasize that I am very proud and grateful for what we have achieved together. I hope you can understand that both of us want to focus on the future now and not comment any further,” he stated.

Pajari’s decision has sparked heated discussions among fans and pundits alike, but it is clear that the two have accomplished much together. Their journey has been marked by success and growth, and while their professional relationship may be coming to an end, it has laid the foundation for the next chapters in both of their careers.

As for Pajari’s new co-driver, the identity of the person who will replace Mälkönen has not yet been revealed. This decision will undoubtedly generate further attention as Pajari seeks to secure the right partner for his ambitious future goals in the WRC.