WRC
Katsuta's Safari win or Sesks' stunning first impression?
Takamoto Katsuta finally reached the top step in Kenya. Mārtiņš Sesks announced himself with a remarkable opening forest stage in Poland. Choose which moment advances.
Takamoto Katsuta's long-awaited first WRC victory faces Mārtiņš Sesks' unforgettable introduction to Rally1 pace in the third opening-round vote of Rally1 Rewind.
One came at the end of a demanding Safari Rally Kenya in 2026; the other unfolded on a single Polish gravel stage in 2024. Both gave fans a glimpse of how much a result can mean when a crew exceeds its own expectations.
Takamoto Katsuta celebrating his breakthrough WRC victory
© Jaanus Ree
KATSUTA WINS SAFARI RALLY KENYA 2026
Kenya had already given Katsuta some of his best WRC results, including his first podium in 2021. In March 2026, it finally delivered a victory.
Katsuta and Aaron Johnston's route to the top step was far from straightforward. A double puncture on Friday left their Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 seventh, almost two minutes from the lead. As mud, rocks and technical problems hit the field on Saturday, they concentrated on getting through and climbed into first place.
An advantage of 1min 25.5sec entering Sunday gave Katsuta room to manage the final four stages. He did so carefully, finishing 27.4sec ahead of Adrien Fourmaux to secure a maiden outright win for both himself and Johnston.
The breakthrough rewarded a journey with Toyota's driver development programme which had begun in 2015, and years of work to make the final step.
Mārtiņš Sesks' was in disbelief with his time
© At World
SESKS STARS ON HIS FIRST FULL LENGTH RALLY1 STAGE 2024
Sesks did not have to wait until the end of his Rally1 debut to make an impression. His first full-length stage was enough.
After Thursday's opening super special at Rally Poland, the Latvian and co-driver Renārs Francis headed into the 29.40km Stańczyki test on Friday morning. Driving an M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 without hybrid assistance, they stopped the clock just 0.3sec behind stage winner Andreas Mikkelsen.
“What! Ok. That's it,” was his stunned response when told the time had put him second overall. Sesks was discovering the car while already troubling the established front-runners.
He held second until the midday halt and went on to finish fifth overall. That longer result confirmed the promise, but the nomination centres on those first fast kilometres and the reaction when Sesks discovered just how competitive they had been.
Choose your quarter-finalist in the poll below before 08:00 CET on 7 November. Tomorrow's pairing brings together Sami Pajari's first three WRC wins and Sébastien Ogier's ninth world title.
