Here is the thing about racing: a wild, brilliant start can change everything, but the machine will always demand a full-season finish. Toyota Gazoo Racing driver Katsuta delivered arguably the feel-good story of the year by claiming an emotional maiden WRC victory at Safari Rally Kenya. That triumph alone wrote history, marking the first time a Japanese driver had stood on the top step of a WRC podium since Kenjiro Shinozuka’s victory at the 1992 Côte d’Ivoire Rally.
Not content with just one piece of history, Katsuta followed it up with a second win at the next round in Croatia. This blistering start to the season also made the 33-year-old the first Japanese driver to lead the championship. Alongside co-driver Aaron Johnston, he remained firmly in the title fight after recording top-seven finishes at each of the opening eight rounds.
Every single effort from every single person from the team made this car. I must say a big thanks to all the team members and I was really proud to drive this car.
Unfortunately, the momentum hit a wall. A double puncture in Estonia marked a turning point, and costly retirements in Paraguay and Chile followed during a difficult second half of the campaign. Katsuta admitted that the pressure mounted as things unraveled.
“When Estonia didn’t go as well as I expected and we had to retire, then at this moment I started to think that now I need to take back the points or something,” Katsuta said. “I think after this Estonia retirement I started to stress too much, but before it was OK.”
Despite the late struggles, Katsuta ultimately matched his career-best championship finish of sixth, setting a new personal best points total—53 more than his previous benchmark, achieved in both 2022 and 2025. He ended the campaign with a much-needed confidence boost through a mistake-free drive to secure sixth at Rally Italia Sardegna, despite the result being compromised by costly punctures on Friday’s opening leg.
Sardegna also marked his final outing in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, a car that will hold a special place in his memories after carrying him to those historic first two WRC victories. “We tried to have fun. It was quite emotional,” he said. “Every single effort from every single person from the team made this car. I must say a big thanks to all the team members and I was really proud to drive this car.”
Looking ahead, the assessment is refreshingly straightforward. “I need to make more progress. We have been stepping up this year and at least not stepping down. OK, I just need to keep pushing and keep working,” Katsuta stated.
