Takamoto Katsuta secures breakthrough maiden WRC victory

Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston have secured their first-ever World Rally Championship victory after a grueling event. The Toyota driver’s performance marked the first time a Japanese competitor has stood on the top step of a WRC podium since Kenjiro Shinozuka in 1992, highlighting the significance of the result.

The achievement was met with an outpouring of support from across the service park. Former teammate Kalle Rovanperä expressed his pride, noting that he felt more nervous watching Katsuta from home than he does during his own competitions. Additionally, Katsuta credited Ott Tänak for providing consistent tactical advice and encouragement throughout the rally, proving pivotal to his success in difficult conditions.

Rivals and colleagues, including championship leader Elfyn Evans and Thierry Neuville, praised Katsuta’s perseverance and dedication. The victory serves as a culmination of years of development for the Toyota driver, who acknowledged that the support from fellow competitors made the milestone feel particularly special.