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Katsuta’s Strong Comeback at Central European Rally
Japanese driver Takamoto Katsuta has provided insights into his impressive return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) at the recent Central European Rally, following a challenging period where he was sidelined. His reinstatement with the Toyota team for the penultimate round of the season comes after a surprising decision to bench him during last month’s event in South America.
This decision arose after Katsuta struggled to secure a top-five finish for six consecutive rallies, with his performance at the Acropolis Rally marking a turning point. The 31-year-old described missing the rally in Chile as one of the toughest moments of his career. However, he quickly moved past this setback, achieving a commendable fourth place finish at the Central European Rally, which included two stage wins.
In addition to his overall ranking, Katsuta excelled in scoring substantial points, achieving the highest tally of 12 Super Sunday points for leading the Sunday classification and triumphing in the Power Stage. This performance is expected to have significant implications for Toyota as it competes with Hyundai for the manufacturers’ championship title.
Takamoto Katsuta, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Photo by: Toyota Racing
Katsuta credited his success to the unwavering support from his team and those around him. He noted that one specific area he has focused on improving is his pacenotes, streamlining them to eliminate unnecessary details that could complicate his driving at high speeds.
Reflecting on the pressure leading up to the rally, Katsuta stated, “It was big, big pressure before this rally. It was such a difficult moment I’ve had in the last few months and maybe the start of the season, and of course last month was the toughest moment.” He emphasized the impact of teamwork on his performance, saying, “But I had really strong support from the team and all the people around me. This is one of the reasons I was able to come back stronger.”
He elaborated on the encouragement he received from teammates, mentioning that both Kalle Rovanpera, Sébastien Ogier, and Elfyn Evans reached out to him during his challenging time, providing moral support and motivation.
Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala praised Katsuta’s performance at the Central European Rally, calling it “superb.” His strong showing proved crucial, particularly as teammate Sébastien Ogier faced an unfortunate crash that diminished Toyota’s standings. Latvala remarked, “I have to say massive thanks to Taka. He had an excellent performance… they both saved us in this situation, and we are still in the game for the manufacturers’ championship.”
Latvala also noted that Katsuta appeared nervous upon his return to competition after a month-long hiatus, but as the rally progressed, he began to find his rhythm. “He was growing, and this is exactly the way we want him to take because we know his speed… before, Taka has been trying to lift up the speed too quickly, and now he was progressively building that,” added Latvala, highlighting a newfound approach in Katsuta’s racing strategy.
Overall, Katsuta’s ability to navigate a turbulent period and return with a strong performance reaffirms his potential in the WRC, showcasing the resilience required to thrive at such a high level of competition.
Source
www.autosport.com