WRC
Katsuta keeping one eye on title race as breakout season continues
Takamoto Katsuta has admitted that he is keeping a close eye on the Drivers' Championship title race after slashing the gap to team-mate and points leader Elfyn Evans at EKO Acropolis Rally Greece.
Katsuta headed into Greece sitting 20 points behind Evans in the championship standings but left the rough gravel rally only 11 points adrift after clinching a fourth podium finish of the season.
The Japanese driver’s run to third in Greece was made even more impressive given the fact he faced the disadvantage of starting second on the road. While several of his rivals lost time to tyre issues and misfortune, Katsuta for the most part avoided the many pitfalls that were waiting to catch out crews on the rough gravel stages.
Katsuta produced a measured run in Greece, from second on the road
© At World
“Of course [starting near the top of the road order] you will lose time with the conditions and I had to try to not be disappointed too much [early in the rally],” said Katsuta. “All the preparation and the targets we set each day went very well in avoiding all the problems.
"If I say I’m not looking at [the championship] at all, then it is not true. It is going very well"
“We didn’t have any big issues, we had some problems with tyre delaminations but nothing like changing tyres in a stage.
“Ok, there was no fastest time but when I needed to push the time was there. This gives me extra confidence to prepare for next time.”
When asked if he was now thinking about the championship, he added: “It is good. Of course, if I say I’m not looking at [the championship] at all, then it is not true. It is going very well.”
Takamoto Katsuta in action last month in Greece
© AT World
The result in Greece has added further fuel to Katsuta’s growing title bid in what is proving to be a break-out season for the 33-year-old, headlined by two wins, including an emotional maiden victory at Safari Rally Kenya in March.
This year’s points total after eight rounds is Katsuta’s best return since stepping up to the WRC’s top tier on a full-time basis in 2021, smashing the previous best tally at this point of the season by a whopping 70 points.
The impressive run of form has made Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston the championship’s most consistent crew, and the only Rally1 duo to finish every event inside the top seven. Achieving this level of consistency was a target that Katsuta had listed at the start of the season.
Takamoto Katsuta contesting his home rally in May
© At World
“It has been very consistent but we wanted to make this kind of season. At the start of the season we wanted to be as consistent as possible to take as many points as possible,” he said reflecting on his season so far.
As the WRC switches from punishing rough roads to high speed, smooth gravel stages, beginning with Delfi Rally Estonia next week and followed by Secto Rally Finland (30 July -2 August), Katsuta’s targets are clear.
Takamoto Katsuta competing earlier this year in Portugal
© At World
“Of course, now I want to fight for victory in Estonia and Finland, which are my favourite rallies. I’m very much looking forward to going there,” he said.
“Of course, it will be tough as we will have to deal with some cleaning of the roads, but Elfyn has done it most years recently and so has Seb [Ogier] for many years, so I need to fight against those difficulties. I just need to prepare more and work out where I can push more and where I shouldn’t, and work on these small details.”
