Takamoto
Katsuta
Japan
·
WRC
Key Facts
Nationality
JAP
Date of birth
17.03.1993
Birthplace
Nagoya, Japan
Co-driver
First WRC rally
2016, Rally Finland
First WRC stage win
2020, Rally Monza SS16
WRC stage wins
50
First WRC podium
2021, Rally Kenya
WRC podiums
7
First WRC Wolf Power Stage win
2020, Rally Monza
Best overall WRC event result
2nd Safari Rally Kenya 2021 & 2024, Rally Sweden 2025
Best overall WRC season result
5th (2022)
About Takamoto Katsuta
Takamoto Katsuta is Japan’s leading WRC contender, carrying the hopes of Toyota Gazoo Racing and his nation. Rallying runs in his blood — his father, Norihiko, was an eight-time Japanese Rally Champion. However, unlike many of his peers, Katsuta’s motorsport journey began on circuits. A successful karting career led him to the Japanese Formula 3 title trail before he made the bold switch to rallying in 2014.
After impressing in a Toyota GT86, he was recruited into the brand’s young driver programme in 2015. Over the next few years, he sharpened his skills on European stages, notably securing a shock WRC2 victory at Rally Sweden in 2018. His full-time promotion to the WRC’s top category in 2020 came with a steep learning curve, but he proved his potential with a breakthrough podium at Safari Rally Kenya in 2021.
The introduction of hybrid Rally1 machinery in 2022 saw Katsuta emerge as a top-tier competitor. He delivered emotional podiums in Kenya and at his home event, FORUM8 Rally Japan, finishing the year a career-best fifth in the standings.
While 2024 was a season of highs and lows — including a brief hiatus to reset his form — Katsuta ended the year as a hero. Back-to-back fourth-place finishes in Central Europe and Japan were the final pieces of the puzzle that allowed Toyota to clinch the manufacturers' title in a dramatic finale.
The 2025 season saw Katsuta reach a new level of maturity and speed. He began the year with a statement performance at Rally Sweden, where he engaged in a nail-biting battle for the win with team-mate Elfyn Evans. After trading the lead multiple times on the final day, he eventually finished second by a mere 3.8 seconds - the closest he has ever come to a top-step finish.
His strong form continued throughout the summer. At Secto Rally Finland, his "second home" rally, he delivered a clinical drive to secure another second-place finish, spearheading a historic 1-2-3-4-5 lockout for Toyota.
Despite a heartbreaking mistake while fighting for the lead at his home rally in Japan, Katsuta’s resilience never wavered. He finished the season sixth in the championship with 122 points and was instrumental in Toyota Gazoo Racing securing its fifth consecutive manufacturers’ crown.
Takamoto Katsuta
© WRC
WRC photos 2025
Takamoto Katsuta / Aaron Johnston, WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo 2025
© WRC
Takamoto Katsuta / Aaron Johnston, WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo 2025
© WRC
Takamoto Katsuta / Aaron Johnston, WRC Rally Sweden 2025
© WRC
Takamoto Katsuta / Aaron Johnston, WRC Rally Sweden 2025
© WRC