WRC
Katsuta prepared for “full attack” at FORUM8 Rally Japan
Takamoto Katsuta is promising a “full attack” as he chases what would be a dream home victory at FORUM8 Rally Japan next week.
Toyota’s home hero heads into the final asphalt round of the 2026 season with arguably his best chance yet to win his home event, following a breakthrough campaign headlined by victories at Safari Rally Kenya and Croatia Rally.
With the pressure of securing a maiden WRC victory now lifted, Katsuta has flourished, showing consistent speed that helped the 33-year-old briefly lead the championship standings.
Heading into Japan, where Katsuta was firmly in the fight for victory last year before a mistake on SS11 triggered a power steering failure, the Toyota driver trails team-mate Elfyn Evans by 12 points in the championship. It also means Katsuta will have the advantage of starting second on the road for Japan’s technical asphalt stages.
When asked about his Rally Japan prospects, Katsuta said his approach was clear.
“There is no question, it is full attack. It is very simple. I had difficulties last year and this year I will try to do better,” said Katsuta.
“Of course it [the road position] is good. It would be nicer to be at the front but Elfyn did a good job in Portugal as the first car on the road, so for sure he deserves it. I just need to fix the small things and improve where I should.”
While Katsuta is currently displaying the best form of his career to date, there is a case to suggest the challenge of conquering Rally Japan has increased, even within his own team, compared with last November’s edition.
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Toyota will head to Japan with five cars crewed by drivers who can all make a case to be considered victory contenders. Reigning world champion Sébastien Ogier claimed Rally Japan honours last year after defeating Evans and has finished no worse than fourth in the four editions since the event returned in 2022. Evans boasts an even stronger record, winning the rally in 2023 and 2024.
Sami Pajari has also shown form in Japan, claiming his first outright WRC podium there last year. The Finn is in a rich vein of form and has since claimed four more podiums from six events this season, while Oliver Solberg won on asphalt in Monte-Carlo in January and challenged for victory at Rally Islas Canarias.
Katsuta is well aware of the challenge from within the Toyota camp in Japan and has likened it to being in a Formula 1 team with three world champions and a top rookie.
“Elfyn will be super strong like he is every time and Seb will be there as well, and Sami is now very fast and Oliver is very quick, so it is never easy. I will try to do my best,” he added.
“It is crazy but nice [to have such a strong group of team-mates]. Someone said to me it is like being in a Formula 1 team where you are team-mates with Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen and also Oliver Bearman, so basically I’m in a team like this. It is not easy to beat them but this is why it is the World Rally Championship, so I will try to beat them.”
