Toyota's chairman believes Takamoto Katsuta will act as an inspiration to the next generation
You’d be hard pushed to find a single soul connected to the World Rally Championship who didn’t have a nice thing to say about the result.
Takamoto Katsuta’s victory at Safari Rally Kenya was long overdue, throughly deserved and universally popular.
But it was also extremely important – not just for Katsuta’s confidence, resumé and potential championship challenge, but for a nation he and his Toyota Gazoo Racing team represent.
Japan.
How much Japan means to Katsuta is obvious; just cast your mind back to the tears last November when a mistake cost him his shot of a dream WRC victory at home.
But Katsuta means just as much to Japan – and Toyota – as Japan means to Katsuta.
Katsuta carries the Japanese flag with great pride and responsibility
“Some people say maybe I’m taking too much pressure myself, but I think I have to deliver the result and I make it more popular by my result and success – otherwise it’s more difficult for the next young drivers coming from Japan.
“If I open the better road [it’ll be] much easier for them to come again and even moving forward easier for them, so I’m hoping that there are more talented drivers coming from Japan.
“Maybe 10 years later we will see more and a totally different culture about rallying in Japan.”
Katsuta may have put himself under plenty of pressure, but as they say: pressure makes diamonds.
Few world championship victories have been as important as the latest one.
Words:Luke Barry
Tags: Akio Toyoda, Takamoto Katsuta, WRC
Publish Date March 24, 2026 DirtFish
https://dirtfish-editorial.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2026/03/IMG_0678-780x954.jpg March 24, 2026
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Context:
Katsuta's Safari Rally victory marks Japan's breakthrough moment in WRC, inspiring the next generation.
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This win could transform Japan's motorsport culture and create pathways for future rally drivers.
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Katsuta is the first Toyota Challenge Program graduate to win at WRC's highest level.