WRC 2
Yamamoto eyes maiden WRC2 podium on home soil
Takamoto Katsuta isn’t the only Japanese driver with his sights set on the podium at FORUM8 Rally Japan, with Yuki Yamamoto saying he is “ready” and “confident” he can fight for WRC2 silverware.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC Challenge Program driver is hoping a third outing at his home FIA World Rally Championship round will deliver his best WRC2 result to date. Rally Japan has not been kind to Yamamoto so far after he crashed out of his previous two appearances, but the 29-year-old is determined to showcase his skills this week.
Japan will mark Yamamoto’s second WRC2 points-scoring start of the season after he finished 15th in class, alongside co-driver James Fulton, at Rally Islas Canarias last month.
Last season, Yamamoto made significant progress in his development by scoring a first top-five WRC2 result with an impressive run to fifth at Secto Rally Finland. It was one of three top-10 finishes that underlined his ability to challenge the best in the WRC’s second tier.
Now the next goal is to star in front of his home fans, with the rising Japanese driver believing he has the tools to challenge for a WRC2 podium this week.
“I’m really excited for Rally Japan. It’s special for me to be able to compete my home round of the WRC again,” said Yamamoto.
© Toyota
“It’s always nice to see so many fans there supporting us – not only in the stages but also on the road sections – and that’s a really big energy boost for me. This year I would really like to achieve something special in terms of a result and aim for the podium in WRC2.
“I feel confident that this is achievable and I’m preparing as well as I can to try and make a good result happen for everyone who is supporting us.
“There are some new stages and some familiar stages so I feel like I’m ready and confident.”
Yamamoto’s quest for a WRC2 podium will not, however, be easy. This weekend’s WRC2 line-up features several drivers who have already stood on the category podium in Japan.
Last year’s winner Alejandro Cachón returns, with the Spaniard also piloting a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 car and enjoying a rich vein of form after finishing inside the top five in two of his three WRC2 starts this year.
Likewise, Lancia’s Nikolay Gryazin has become a regular victory contender on Japan’s asphalt stages. Across his last three Rally Japan appearances, Gryazin has taken one win, in 2024, and finished second in both 2023 and 2025.
Finland’s Emil Lindholm (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) is also likely to be involved in the podium fight, having sealed the 2022 WRC2 title with a third-place finish in Japan, while Paraguay’s Diego Dominguez (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) showed speed last year on his way to sixth in class.
Yamamoto could also face fierce competition from compatriot Hiroki Arai (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2). The experienced Japanese driver finished fifth in class last year and has previously featured on the podium courtesy of a run to third in 2024.
