Takamoto Katsuta: “There is no question, it is full attack” for WRC Rally Japan

Takamoto Katsuta says his approach for Rally Japan is “very simple”, planning a “full attack” to claim what would be an emotional home victory.

All eyes in Japan will be focussed on the Toyota driver, who has been striving to deliver a home win ever since Rally Japan rejoined the WRC schedule in 2022.

Katsuta has proven he has the pace to challenge for victory at the event in the past, although a run to third in 2022 remains his best result to date. Last year Katsuta was firmly in the fight for victory before a mistake in stage 11 triggered a power steering failure. This week he is eager to bounce back and not disappoint the home crowd.

The home hero heads into the final asphalt round of the 2026 season with arguably his best opportunity yet to win his home event following a breakthrough season to date, headlined by wins at Safari Rally Kenya and Croatia Rally. As a result, the Toyota driver trails team-mate Elfyn Evans in the championship by just 12 points and will have the advantage of starting second on the road for Japan’s technical asphalt stages.

“There is no question, it is full attack. It is simple, very simple. I had difficulties last year and this year I will try to do better,” said Katsuta. 

“Of course [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.

“Rally Japan is of course a very important rally for myself and for our team. I hope to see even more people interested in the rally and following us on the stages.”

While Katsuta admits his plan for the event is simple, delivering a victory is far from it with the 33-year-old set to face a tough fight even within his own Toyota team for the win.

Championship leader Evans is a two-time winner of the event in 2023 and 2024 and finished second in last year’s edition behind now nine-time world champion Sebastien Ogier, who will return to defend the crown this year. 

Team-mates Oliver Solberg and Sami Pajari are also likely to be among the contenders for victory too. Solberg took victory on asphalt in Monte Carlo in January, and challenged for the win at the previous asphalt round at Rally Islas Canarias, while Pajari claimed his first WRC outright podium there last year, with the Finn’s impressive form continuing this season.

“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.”

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– The Motorsport.com Team

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