Takamoto Katsuta’s progression within Toyota Gazoo Racing is unquestionable. Since he took his first steps under the umbrella of the brand with the R5 managed by Tommi Mäkinen’s team, the Japanese Katsuta has shown that the manufacturer’s commitment to him was right. The Japanese driver already competes in the premier class of the WRC after making his debut in 2019 at the controls of the Toyota Yaris WRC. In fact, in the last three seasons Katsuta has had a full program in the brand’s ‘B’ team.
With 44 events in the World Rally Championship 24 in the premier class, Takamoto Katsuta has developed a particular bond with the Safari Rally. It seems necessary for ‘Taka’ to travel to Kenya to get on the WRC podium. He did it in 2021 after finishing in second position behind Sébastien Ogier and he did it again a year later, in this case after finishing third with his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, precisely ahead of Sébastien Ogier. Only Kalle Rovanperä and Elfyn Evans have been able to overcome Takamoto Katsuta in the tough stages of the African round of the World Championship.
Curiously, Katsuta assured before the Safari Rally that repeating the podium achieved in 2021 was simply impossible, to the point of saying that it was an idea to forget. However, when the moment of truth arrived, Katsuta has done it again: «I needed to find more rhythm and feel comfortable in the car. At times we have achieved it and that has been noted in our rhythm. We managed to maintain a sensible rhythm, we avoided mistakes and that has allowed us to obtain this result. We knew we were capable of this before the rally, but everything has to work out».
With this result for Katsuta, his co-driver Aaron Johnston has achieved his first podium finish in the premier class of the WRC: «Everything went well and I felt very comfortable in the car. During the first two stages I pushed a lot, although I tried to be smart and ride smoothly, without taking too many risks. It was a good moment and I felt very comfortable with the car. Getting on the podium here two years in a row is something very nice. It will be a pleasant memory in the future.”
Fruit of the particular idyll of Takamoto Katsuta with the Safari Rally of Kenya, the Japanese Toyota driver is fourth overall with 62 points, same as Ott Tänak, a pilot who closes the ‘top 3’ of the classification. At the gates of the equator of the season, ‘Taka’ has five points more than his teammate Elfyn Evans on equal termsin addition to adding 28 units more than Sébastien Ogier, although it is true that the French driver has only contested three rallies to date.
Photos: Red Bull Content Pool