Japanese Katsuta roars to maiden Safari Rally win

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Japanese star and Toyota Gazoo Racing driver Takamoto Katsuta has finally conquered the legendary Safari Rally, clinching his maiden win in Kenya and ending years of agonising near misses on the toughest leg of the global championship. ‎

‎Katsuta clocked a cumulative time of 3:16:05.6 to lead Hyundai's Adrien Fourmaux, who timed 3:16:33.0 ‎Youngster Sami Pajari clocked 3:20:31.7 to round off the podium. ‎ ‎

An emotional Takamoto was appreciative of the support from Toyota Gazoo Racing as well as his family.

‎"Toyota has always believed in me, thanks to the whole team. I am finally here because of them. My family for always showing me support," Takamoto said.

This marked Katsuta’s first-ever victory in a WRC round in more than 90 rally starts and his first triumph on Kenyan soil after several close calls in previous editions. ‎ ‎His long pursuit of Safari glory stretches back to 2021 when the rally returned to the WRC calendar. ‎

‎That year, Katsuta came painfully close, finishing second with a cumulative time of 3:18:33.1 behind his Toyota teammate Sebastien Ogier, who won in 3:18:11.3. ‎

‎The following season in 2022, Katsuta again featured among the frontrunners but had to settle for third place with a cumulative time of 3:42:07.6 as Toyota dominated the podium through Kalle Rovanpera (3:40:24.9) and Elfyn Evans (3:41:17.7). ‎ ‎In 2023, the Japanese driver narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth with a cumulative time of 3:34:06.3 as Toyota locked out the top four positions.

‎Katsuta returned to the podium in 2024, finishing runner-up with a time of 3:37:41.8 behind Rovanpera, who stormed to victory in 3:36:04.0. ‎ ‎However, the 2025 edition proved heartbreakingly cruel for Katsuta. ‎ ‎In one of the most dramatic moments of the rally, he rolled his Toyota GR Yaris on the decisive Power Stage, the final test of the event. ‎ ‎

A devastated Katsuta was left choking back tears at the finish, apologising to the team for the costly mistake which dealt a heavy blow to Toyota’s manufacturers’ championship hopes, especially after teammate Rovanpera had already retired earlier that day. ‎ ‎This year, however, redemption finally arrived. ‎ ‎

Katsuta mounted a spirited and composed campaign and surged into the rally lead on Saturday after fortune swung his way when early pacesetter Oliver Solberg and second-placed Ogier both retired during the morning loop with mechanical issues. ‎ ‎That twist of fate handed the Japanese driver the overnight lead heading into Sunday with a comfortable buffer of 1 minute 25 seconds. ‎ ‎

Toyota began Super Sunday on a strong note during SS17 Oserengoni 1 (18.22km). ‎Ogier set the pace with a blistering run of 11:18.9, ahead of teammate Solberg, who clocked 11:22.7, while Adrien Fourmaux of Hyundai posted the third-fastest time at 11:28.3. ‎ ‎

SS18 Hell’s Gate 1 saw Evans strike back, storming through the stage with the quickest time of 5:32.4. ‎ ‎Solberg followed in second with a 5:35.9 effort while Ogier slotted into third with a time of 5:36.1. ‎

‎The pace remained relentless in SS19 Oserengoni 2 where Solberg laid down the fastest time of 10:58.1, with Ogier clocking 11:02.5 and Evans completing the top three in 11:05.3. ‎

‎At the final stage, the Wolf Power Stage at SS20 Hell’s Gate 2, Solberg timed the fastest time of 5:32.2 to lead teammate Ogier (5:35.0) and Evans (5:36.7).