Takamoto Katsuta Makes History with First WRC Safari Rally Victory in Kenya

Toyota Gazoo Racing's Takamoto Katsuta has made history, securing his first-ever World Rally Championship crown with a triumphant victory at the 2026 WRC Safari Rally.

Alongside co-driver Aaron Johnston, Katsuta navigated the treacherous Kenyan stages to finish 27.4 seconds ahead of the competition, finally ending a long wait for a championship title after several near misses.

Adrien Fourmaux of France claimed the runner-up spot, delivering Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT its first podium finish of the season. Toyota's rising talent, Sami Pajari, rounded out the podium in third place.

This breakthrough victory propels Katsuta to second in the championship standings, just three points shy of leader Elfyn Evans, who was forced to retire on Saturday due to suspension damage.

Another frontrunner, Oliver Solberg, also fell out of contention for the overall win but managed to salvage crucial points by dominating the final day's Super Sunday classification and posting the fastest time in the Power Stage.

Katsuta's rally began with significant challenges. Heavy rain during the opening Camp Moran stage led to an intercom failure, leaving him to drive without pace notes from Johnston. More trouble followed on Friday when a puncture saw the Japanese driver drop to seventh place overnight.

However, a composed and strategic drive through Saturday's punishing gravel stages saw Katsuta steadily climb the ranks. His opportunity arose when several of his Toyota teammates encountered major issues.

Evans suffered two punctures on Stage 12, which compromised his rear suspension before it ultimately failed on the next stage, forcing his retirement.

Shortly after, both Solberg and eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier were sidelined with mechanical problems on the road section back to the service park, handing the rally lead to Katsuta.

With a firm grip on the lead, Katsuta managed his pace flawlessly, avoiding any major errors to clinch a memorable and emotional victory.

"I don’t know what to say. We have had so many difficult moments," said an emotional Katsuta at the finish line, as quoted by Citizen Digital.

"My family has always supported me and this victory means so much. So many things happened this weekend but finally we are here."

Fourmaux delivered a strong performance for Hyundai despite the team struggling with overheating issues all weekend. Pajari's third-place finish was equally impressive, as he had lost over five minutes on Saturday morning due to a tyre explosion and another puncture.

Esapekka Lappi's cautious approach paid off, earning him fourth place and his first-ever points finish at the Safari Rally. Meanwhile, 2025 champion Thierry Neuville's hopes were dashed on Saturday when he retired after sustaining three punctures in a single stage.

In the WRC2 support category, Estonia's Robert Virves celebrated a win on his Kenyan debut, finishing 30.3 seconds ahead of Gus Greensmith. Paraguay's Fau Zaldívar secured the final podium spot, with Andreas Mikkelsen following in fourth.