After running as high as second overall, Katsuta was forced to retire from the first full day of Secto Rally Finland competition after hitting a tree in Ruuhimäki. That came on the back of events where the Japanese himself feels he didn’t deliver the performance he’s capable of aboard his factory Toyota GR Yaris Rally1.
“I’m really sorry for the team for what happened in Finland,” said Katsuta. “I was sorry for not being able to bring a result home: while the speed was good, the outcome could have been much better.
“Many people made mistakes [in Finland] but the rally is a long weekend, not a sprint. I feel I need to calm down a little bit, to take things a little bit calmer. I can make the speed and feel comfortable with the speed, but then I am rushing too much [to make the result]. I need to change and take a bigger view of the rallies and the preparation for them.”
While Katsuta has struggled on some rounds this season, his second place on Safari Rally Kenya was his third African podium in four years.
Tue 20 Aug 2024
Taka vows to "calm down" for gruelling Greek classic
Toyota driver Takamoto Katsuta has admitted he needs to make changes in his approach to this year’s FIA World Rally Championship – starting with next month’s EKO Acropolis Rally Greece.
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