Takamoto Katsuta aims for redemption at Rally Sweden after a strong but frustrating Monte Carlo.
Toyota driver Takamoto Katsuta has set his sights on a strong comeback at next week’s Rally Sweden after a promising yet ultimately frustrating outing at Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Despite an impressive performance on Saturday, a minor off-road incident on the final day ended his hopes of a top result.
The Bafana Bafana legend was supposed to have been appointed Harambee Stars coach by January but what has delayed his arrival?
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The 2025 WRC calendar retains the iconic Safari Rally Kenya among its expanded roster of 14 diverse global events.
Now, Katsuta is eager to carry his pace and confidence into the only full-snow event of the FIA World Rally Championship season.
“Saturday in Monte was a very good day,” Katsuta told the WRC portal.
“Working with the team, we changed some things in the setup and my feeling with the car was better – I was able to push more. I wanted to take that feeling to the final day, but the weather was more complicated and the conditions were tricky.”
The Japanese driver had shown remarkable speed in the early stages of Monte Carlo, even securing a stage win on Saturday.
However, his run came to an abrupt end when he went off the road on a right-hand turn, getting stuck in a small ditch. While the incident was not dramatic, it was enough to halt his charge through the French Alps.
“We went off the road on a right-hand corner, it was slow, but we got stuck in a small ditch. It’s a pity, but now I need to refocus for Sweden,” he added.
“Sweden is a very different event, but I want to find the same feeling and confidence with the car and try to do the best job for the team when we get there.”
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2025 WRC Safari Rally is expected to be a thrilling edition with new stages, a fresh Nairobi start and a strong sustainability focus.
Katsuta’s past performances in Sweden give him reasons to be optimistic.
In 2022, he secured an impressive fourth-place finish, proving his ability to handle the high-speed snow and ice-covered roads.
However, his results in the last two editions were less favorable, with challenges preventing him from reaching his full potential.
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Kenya is gearing up for motorsport extravaganza with the WRC Safari Rally poised to go down in Nakuru County in March.
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The tactician joined the Tanzanian giants in November 2024 but has now quit after receiving an irresistible offer from Algeria.
With the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 proving to be a competitive package, Katsuta knows that consistency will be key in Sweden.
The event, based in Umeå, presents some of the fastest stages of the season, where drivers rely on studded tires to maximize grip on the icy surface.
The Japanese driver’s experience and familiarity with the conditions will be crucial as he looks to deliver a strong performance for Toyota Gazoo Racing.
