Toyota says Katsuta is 'ready to win rallies'

After the victory of Sébastien Ogier ahead of Elfyn Evans in Monte-Carlo, the latter beat Takamoto Katsuta in Sweden to offer a new double to the Japanese brand, crowned constructors' world champion in 2024 but which saw the drivers' title slip into the hands of Thierry Neuville. While Jari-Matti Latvala's team has been imperial at the start of the season, the Finn couldn't hide the fact that this Swedish Sunday almost made his blood pressure rise! If the double seemed assured, the risk of losing everything by seeing his two drivers fight was very real...

"I was really nervous this morning, that's for sure! Watching that fight between two teammates on your team was really stressful.", he said on the microphone of the international signal of the championship. "This rally was very interesting, because we thought there would be big gaps, and in the end there were five drivers within about 25 seconds of each other! To drive three days like that is really remarkable."

This Rally Sweden could also be seen in a few months as a reference event, both for Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta. The Welshman has often had a hard time when it comes to converting the try, but this time he showed unfailing mental strength, managing to overtake his teammate after the first special stage this Sunday. For the Japanese, this was a first big opportunity for victory, and "Taka" did not fail, finishing 3″8 behind the other Toyota, victorious.

"We started the season in the best possible way. I saw Elfyn's mental strength but I can also say that Takamoto Katsuta is now ready to win rallies", added Latvala, confident in the strengths of his drivers this season. It is also quite surprising to note that among the four residents of the official Toyota Gazoo Racing team (Sami Pajari being engaged in a "B" team), it is Kalle Rovanperä who is proving to be the most in difficulty at the start of this campaign!

Katsuta, the confirmation?

For Takamoto Katsuta too, this Rally Sweden seems to have unlocked something in his mind. The Japanese had been proclaiming it throughout the weekend, and even after the finish, his goal was simply to see the finish. But after leading with two stages to go, he can't help but think that next time, he will seize the opportunity...

“A lot of people messaged me last night and it gave me extra energy to stay on the road! Unfortunately I wasn’t ready to fight for the win this time, Elfyn did a great job and I take my hat off to him. I’ll try to push next time but this time I wanted to bring the car back and not go out. I’m disappointed not to have won, but it’s okay this time!”

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