Heading into the new World Rally Championship season amidst a radical overhaul of technical regulations, Takamoto Katsuta admits that the upcoming challenges will not be as straightforward as previous years. The major regulatory shift is set to alter the competitive landscape in the top class, demanding rapid adaptation from every driver on the grid.
The Japanese driver has competed in the WRC’s premier category since 2020, eventually claiming the historic first rally wins of his career during the recently concluded season. Although he has consistently elevated his level over the years, the upcoming technical transition introduces a significantly different driving style compared to the previous generation of rally machines.
Speaking to RallyJournal, Katsuta shared his perspective on adapting to the new machinery. "I’m very excited to go in a new season, a new car. So going to be not easy as a previous few years. Last few years because car is totally new and it’s quite different type of driving style. You need it," Katsuta explained.
He further added, "So yeah, it’s not the same way as last few years, but we still have a nice cars and nice team and nice team-mates will be nice." Within the Toyota camp, the driver lineup for the upcoming campaign features a formidable roster designed to push the limits of development and internal competition.
Katsuta will be joined in the Yaris-based machine by Kalle Rovanpera and returning world champion Ott Tanak, while Sami Pajari, Elfyn Evans, and Oliver Solberg pilot the new GR Celica Rally1. Facing such a star-studded group of teammates, Katsuta emphasizes that sharing a garage with world champions is a familiar environment for him.
"But this is not the first time since I joined this team. All this time, there has been at least one world champion. So this is not first time. And all this time someone is always there and everything," Katsuta stated.
Concluding his thoughts on the intra-team battle, Katsuta welcomes the intense rivalry as a vital ingredient for success. "And then Sami and Oliver this year have been very strong. And also Ott is back. So nothing new. It’s always tough competition. That’s why we call it World Championship. And that’s why I want to win. This is the most important to have this kind of strong competition in the team. So it’s good," he concluded.
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