WRC Sweden 2026: Takamoto Katsuta Closes on Elfyn Evans After SS6

WRC, Sportrik Media – Takamoto Katsuta continued his strong Friday form at WRC Sweden 2026 by claiming a second consecutive stage win and significantly reducing the gap to rally leader Elfyn Evans.

On the 20-kilometre Andersvattnet stage (SS6), the Toyota Gazoo Racing driver outpaced team-mate Sami Pajari by 2.6 seconds. Evans conceded just over three seconds to Katsuta on the stage, allowing the Japanese driver to close to within 2.5 seconds of the overall lead.

The momentum has shifted firmly towards Katsuta heading into the final two stages of Friday’s itinerary, with Toyota maintaining control at the front of the rally.

“I had a good line to follow, but there wasn’t much grip. It felt a bit strange, but it was okay,” said Takamoto Katsuta.

“There was quite a lot of gravel pulled onto the surface. It’s tough on the tyres and quite slippery. It’s not easy,” added Elfyn Evans, describing the evolving road conditions.

Sami Pajari remains third overall, 17.6 seconds behind the leader. Behind the Toyota trio, the time gaps begin to widen. Esapekka Lappi of Hyundai Motorsport sits fourth, 38.8 seconds off the lead, with team-mate Adrien Fourmaux in fifth at 49.4 seconds adrift.

“There was a lot of loose gravel. The studs will definitely wear quickly. The conditions are quite different compared to the morning,” explained Esapekka Lappi.

Championship leader Oliver Solberg is sixth overall, 56.3 seconds down after facing the disadvantage of running first on the road. Thierry Neuville holds seventh position ahead of the M-Sport Ford pairing of Jon Armstrong and Josh McErlean.

With two stages remaining on Friday and a total of 18 stages across the rally, the intra-Toyota battle between Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta has emerged as the central storyline in WRC Sweden 2026.

The rally continues with two further stages on Friday evening before the decisive final phases unfold across the weekend, culminating in Sunday’s Power Stage.