– Takamoto Katsuta is a genuine contender for the 2026 World Rally Championship title. Last weekend, history was made in Croatia when the Toyota driver became the first Japanese to take the lead in the WRC standings.
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Following his historic first win in Kenya, a second triumph immediately followed in a dramatic Powerstage finale. Thierry Neuville, who had over a minute lead, went off the road with his Hyundai.
Katsuta was at a loss for words when he learned of this almost unbelievable moment. It would hardly be an exaggeration to say that no one predicted the Toyota driver would lead the championship after four rounds.
“I don’t know, I never thought about [what it means to be the first Japanese driver to lead the WRC overall standings],” said a visibly overwhelmed Katsuta after his win in Croatia.
His co-driver Aaron Johnston perhaps summed up their situation best: “If someone had told me at the start of the season that we would be leading the championship, I would have said, you’re dreaming!”
The performances and statistics speak a clear language. Katsuta has made an exceptional start to an already crazy and unpredictable 2026 season.
After a difficult season start in Monte Carlo with seventh place, Katsuta fought for victory in the next three rallies. In Sweden, he was close to a first win but lost it narrowly by 14.3 seconds.
In Kenya, at his 94th WRC start, Katsuta drove smartly and calmly, winning the toughest race in recent history. And in Croatia, Katsuta was again in the fight for victory before Neuville made the decisive mistake.
Impressive start to the season
Katsuta’s incredible start to 2026 is best illustrated by comparing it to his previous full-time WRC campaigns. This year, he has scored 81 points in four rallies.
That is more than double his previous best of 39 points from 2024. Additionally, he is the only driver to finish every round in the top 7. Katsuta has a seven-point lead over his teammate Elfyn Evans.
In the current Rally1 era, only two-time world champion Kalle Rovanperä (87 points – 2022) and Evans (95 points – 2025) have scored more than 80 points after four rounds, and in both cases, they either won the title or finished as runner-up.
There has never been any doubt about Katsuta’s pace, but consistency has always been an area he struggled with. That cannot be said this year so far. So what has changed?
Toyota deputy team principal and four-time WRC world champion Juha Kankkunen says he noticed a change in his driver after the emotional win in Kenya.
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That win took the pressure and burden off him that he had carried while waiting for his first triumph. “A Japanese driver with a Japanese manufacturer at the top of the championship. That has never happened before.”
“I am so happy,” Kankkunen tells Autosport, a sister platform of Motorsport-Total.com in the Motorsport Network. “He has changed a little,” the rally legend continues.
“He used to be a bit hesitant, but now he is more relaxed and focused on his task. You can see that he is more focused now than before.” This change in mentality also has background.
Who helps Katsuta behind the scenes
Another positive change Katsuta has benefited from this year is working with 2019 world champion Ott Tänak, who acts as a coach and mentor.
After deciding to take a break this season, the former Hyundai, Toyota, and M-Sport Ford driver follows the special stages remotely and gives Katsuta advice.
“Ott has done incredible work at every event. He basically watches every special stage on TV. He already knows in which section I lost time and what happened,” Katsuta explains.
“Mentally, that is a huge help, especially this weekend and also in Kenya. When I doubt whether to risk more or drive more cautiously, I can quickly talk to Ott. I can trust him. That is a very big support.”
It would be easy to get carried away by the impressive start to the season, but Katsuta knows how quickly things can change in the WRC. He consciously refrains from thinking about the title fight.
“Maybe my small brain helps me a lot to deal with the pressure,” he joked when asked about leading the standings in Croatia. “I don’t have to think about the title fight at all.”
“I just focus on my work. I have very good support from the team. I feel strong enough, but there are still many things I can work on. So I focus on that. Then we will see what the future brings.”
Given the drama already experienced in just four rounds, there will undoubtedly be many more twists in the WRC title fight. But Katsuta’s pace, his newfound confidence, and his consistency make him a genuine world championship contender.
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