The Toyota drivers reversed on separate stages of recce of Rally del Paraguay
Photography by Toyota
Words by Luke Barry
Sébastien Ogier and Takamoto Katsuta have both been fined €2000 [$2332.62] for reversing down a stage during recce for Rally del Paraguay.
Ogier committed the offence while traversing SS2/6 Nueva Alborada for the first time on Tuesday, while Katsuta’s occurred on the powerstage, SS17/19 Misión Jesuítica Trinidad, a day later.
In a stewards’ hearing, Ogier explained that he “encountered loose stones” in a downhill section before a right-hand corner “which included an impact hole on the road”.
The Frenchman elected to reverse 200 meters to re-check this spot, which contravenes Article 9.4.1 of the event’s sporting regulations that stipulates the “special stages must be driven in the same direction as the rally”.
The stewards “completely” understood Ogier’s point-of-view but as he clearly broke the rules, and this could be considered a third passage of this particular section of stage, they deemed the fine an appropriate course of action.
Katsuta’s offence was similar to Ogier’s in nature, although he reversed half the distance (100m).
In his stewards’ hearing, Katsuta explained there was “heavy traffic on the stage and significant dust in this section, which prevented the crew from completing accurate pacenotes during their passage”.
The stewards recognized Katsuta’s decision was “committed in good faith and without the intention to gain sporting advantage” but again he contravened Article 9.4.1 of the supplementary regulations and was therefore handed the same monetary fine as Ogier.
Words:Luke Barry
Tags: fine, Rally del Paraguay, Rally del Paraguay 2025, Sébastien Ogier, WRC, WRC 2025
Publish Date August 28, 2025 DirtFish
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