Ogier’s advice to Taka: ‘Don’t rush too much’

The Japanese star has shown flashes of brilliance in his fourth full season at rallying’s top level, marked by a podium at Safari Rally Kenya in addition to several stage wins. However, crashes in Sweden, Portugal and, most recently, Finland have hampered the 31-year-old’s progress.

Speaking to WRC.com after Secto Rally Finland, where he was sidelined on Friday after hitting a tree on the fifth stage, Katsuta revealed how he has called on Toyota GAZOO Racing team-mate Sébastien Ogier for advice on where to improve.

“I just wanted to ask [Séb] from his side, because he is an eight-time world champion and he has a lot of experience,” Katsuta explained. “He has seen many different drivers and had many different team-mates. We are very open-minded, so I just wanted to ask him in his eyes what I am missing. Like, why I am doing these mistakes and things.

“He told me that, basically, the speed is there and if there is no speed, it’s a bigger problem. But he told me that I have the speed and I just need to manage this speed to continue, but not to rush too much or something like this.

“It was quite good advice, but I don’t want to say too much. He is giving me so many tips and advice and, yeah, I’m going to talk again with him. I need to work hard to improve myself.”

Katsuta admitted the need to change his approach before the next round in Greece, which takes place from 5 – 8 September. Based in Lamia, the Acropolis is one of the roughest events on the calendar.

“It’s going to be very difficult and a completely different rally compared to [Finland]. It’s more of a kind of ‘management’ rally, I think. We will do a test in the middle of August and then prepare the pace notes, and then we will try to go flat-out from the beginning.”