WRC
How a WRC world champion will help Katsuta improve in 2026
Takamoto Katsuta has come agonisingly close to a maiden WRC victory, and hopes a new mental approach – and guidance from world champion Ott Tänak – will help him finally take that next step in 2026.
Katsuta has finished second on four occasions during his WRC career, with two of those runner-up results coming last season in Sweden and Finland. His closest brush with victory came in Sweden last February, where he missed out on the win by just 3.8sec to Toyota team-mate Elfyn Evans.
While Katsuta’s speed has never been in doubt, the 32-year-old admits that maintaining consistency across an entire rally weekend is an area he is determined to improve. Securing a first WRC victory remains a central objective for the 2026 season.
“Of course, that is one of the biggest targets, to win a rally, and at the same time I'm trying to get in the points consistently and all the things to help for the championship,” said Katsuta.
Tänak (left) has been providing advice to Katsuta
© WRC
“Obviously, Kalle [Rovanperä] and Ott [Tänak] are not in the championship anymore and at the same time some young drivers are coming, and especially Oliver [Solberg] is one of the talented drivers coming into the championship for a first full season, so it is not going to be easy.
“There are less champions [in the field] at the moment and I’m not saying it is any easier, but there can be more opportunities to be fighting for something extra. This is why I’m looking more to be consistently fighting for the podiums at every rally – this is my target. Of course, if there is a chance to fight for a victory, then why not? I will try to take it.”
To achieve that goal, Katsuta believes a shift in mindset is required and plans to lean on the experience of Tänak, the 2019 world champion, who is taking a sabbatical from full-time WRC competition this year.
“Last year when I was fighting for podiums and victory, something can happen when I start to get frustrated too much,” Katsuta explained. “I was questioned why I was not happy before I went off and hit the barrier in Rally Japan, as I had decreased the gap to leader Seb [Ogier]. At the time I had no answer and was angry and not happy with my driving. I should have been happy.
“Ok, Elfyn was going a bit quicker than me and maybe this made me a bit more unhappy, but there was a bigger picture and there was rain coming on Sunday. In my head I was saying I need to do a better job and then I made a mistake, so I need to try and avoid this kind of thing. I didn’t win in Japan, but if I had finished second or third that is still a really good result.
“I think this is a key for this year – to manage the situation in a better way and not get too angry.”
Katsuta won Rallye Monte-Carlo's shakedown on Wednesday
© Red Bull Content Pool
Improving patience behind the wheel is a key focus, and Katsuta believes Tänak’s input will be invaluable as he looks to calm his approach during high-pressure moments.
“Let’s see at the beginning of the season – we will take more phone calls together and chats during the rallies,” Katsuta added. “He knows what kind of level we are driving and the risk we are taking. In rallying, anything can happen, and even things out of your control sometimes. For me, if I have someone I can trust 100%, it helps a lot. I think this is good.
“Exactly, [I need to be more positive]. I was thinking about Rally Japan because it is still fresh in my memory – what I could have done in a better way or how I could have thought differently in that moment. Of course, it is easy to say there was no need to be angry, but I need to be more patient and have confidence not to push too much. At that moment I wanted to be, and I don’t know the reason, but be on maximum attack, and I have had a call with Ott about this already.
I’m looking more to be consistently fighting for the podiums at every rally.
“It is about how you manage the situation with patience, and once you win a first rally you know you don’t need to push every stage. For the next time it can be easier to manage.
“Like Ott told me, of course when you are trying to get the first win, you are always trying and trying everything, but you don’t know where the limit is. This is where I am suffering in this area.
“But if Ott says that I need to be calm, then I need to be calm. This is my idea. Of course I trust engineers and everybody, but it is different who says this. I think for me Ott is one of the best guys to say it, and I have to listen.”
