WRC, Sportrik Media - Takamoto Katsuta reflected on an emotional moment after securing his first FIA World Rally Championship victory at Safari Rally Kenya 2026. The Toyota Gazoo Racing driver described the result as the achievement he had been chasing throughout his WRC career.
The victory carries special significance for the Japanese driver, as Kenya was also the location of his first WRC podium in 2021. Five years later, Katsuta returned to the same event to finally claim his maiden win in the championship.
“My first podium was here in 2021, and now the first victory is here in 2026. We have always been very strong here because the team is strong and the car is strong,” Katsuta told DirtFish.
The 2026 Safari Rally proved to be one of the most demanding events of his career. During the opening stage at Camp Moran, the intercom system in his car failed, leaving him unable to hear the pacenotes from co-driver Aaron Johnston while navigating one of the rally’s toughest stages.
Katsuta also suffered two punctures during the rally, creating additional pressure as tyre availability became limited. Despite those setbacks, he managed to maintain a consistent pace and eventually converted the opportunity into a historic victory.
“This year proved maybe there was some special luck. It’s crazy what we saw this whole weekend. We started in a very difficult situation without pacenotes because of the broken intercom, then we had double punctures and almost no tyres left, but still we arrived here and it’s incredible,” he explained.
The emotional impact of the achievement was evident at the final stop line, where Katsuta struggled to contain his feelings while speaking to reporters after the rally ended.
Throughout his WRC career, Katsuta has often come close to victory but had repeatedly fallen just short. However, he said the support from those around him kept his confidence intact during difficult periods.
He also highlighted the influence of his Toyota team-mates, including Kalle Rovanperä, Sébastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg, and Sami Pajari, as well as the encouragement he received from WRC champion Ott Tanak.
“I have very good team-mates and a lot of support around me. Everyone kept saying that I could do it and that I just needed to put the small pieces together,” Katsuta said.
“I had doubts about myself at times because I was always finishing second or third and couldn’t make that final step. But the team always supported me and gave me confidence, and together it finally brought me to the top step of the podium.”
Katsuta’s breakthrough victory at Safari Rally Kenya 2026 marks a major milestone in his WRC career and strengthens his position in the championship battle as the FIA World Rally Championship season moves toward its next round.
Baca Juga
Takamoto Katsuta mengungkapkan emosinya setelah meraih kemenangan pertama WRC di Safari Rally Kenya 2026 bersama Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Takamoto Katsuta meraih kemenangan pertama WRC di Safari Rally Kenya 2026 setelah reli dramatis yang menyingkirkan Elfyn Evans dan Oliver Solberg.
Takamoto Katsuta memimpin Safari Rally Kenya 2026 setelah SS19 dan hanya satu stage dari kemenangan pertama WRC, dengan Adrien Fourmaux menekan di posisi kedua.
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