Katsuta will debut with the Yaris WRC in Germany and Catalonia

Le Toyota Gazoo Racing s’enrichira d’une troisième Yaris WRC during the Rallies of Germany (August 22-25) and Catalonia (October 24-27). This will be entrusted to hopeful Takamoto Katsuta, accompanied by his co-driver Daniel Barritt.

Announcement for our 2019 season.
First of all, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me.

https://t.co/LzoEIXiSzG

— Takamoto Katsuta (@TakamotoKatsuta) 28th June 2019

It’s a real promotion for the 26-year-old Japanese. He has so far competed in two WRC-2 seasons, with two category victories to his name, in Sweden from its first participation in 2018, then in Chile a year later, with a Ford Fiesta R5. Toyota Gazoo Racing has since hired him as a development driver, and will give him his first two WRC starts on German tarmac and in Catalonia (Spain).

“He has made significant progress this year, estimates Tommi Mäkinen, head of the program dedicated to young Toyota Gazoo Racing drivers. In addition to his commitments in WRC-2, he did well in the program at the Finnish Rally Championship, already with a Yaris WRC (victory from the start at the SM-Itäralli rally. Editor’s note).

We know full well that these will be two difficult rallies for him, he has no experience of Germany, and Catalonia is complicated by combining two surfaces (ground the first day, asphalt the next two. Editor's note), continues the four-time world rally champion (WRC). Thereby, we do not set any result objectives for it. The goal will be to support him in his learning, so that he develops his driving skills. »

Takamoto Katsuta is thus pursuing his dream of becoming world champion. " Since I started rally only four years ago, I work hard with this in mind. I'm just placing myself on the starting line with this aim. I still have so much to accomplish to make this dream come true, but I am confident I can make it happen. »