Takamoto Katsuta finally conquers Kenya’s Safari Rally

After years of heartbreaking near misses on one of the World Rally Championship’s toughest tests, Takamoto Katsuta finally stood atop the podium at the Safari Rally Kenya on Sunday, delivering a landmark maiden WRC victory for himself and becoming the first Japanese driver to win a round since 1992.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing star, alongside co-driver Aaron Johnston, clocked a cumulative time that gave him victory by 27.4 seconds over Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux. Youngster Sami Pajari rounded out the podium in third.

An emotional Katsuta fought back tears as he credited his team and family for their unwavering belief. “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,” he said.

The triumph caps a long journey of frustration on the rugged Kenyan stages, known for their rocks, dust and unpredictable wildlife.

Years of agonizing near misses

Katsuta had come painfully close in previous editions. In 2024, he finished runner-up, just 1:37.8 behind winner Kalle Rovanperä. The year before, he placed fourth as Toyota dominated the top positions. In 2022, he took third, and earlier efforts saw him narrowly miss the podium.

The 2025 event proved especially cruel. Leading into the decisive Power Stage, Katsuta rolled his Toyota GR Yaris, costing him a potential win and dealing a blow to Toyota’s manufacturers’ championship hopes after teammate Rovanperä had already retired.

This year’s redemption felt all the sweeter. Katsuta adopted a smart, survival-first strategy, nursing his car through early punctures and chaos.

Dramatic attrition hands lead to Katsuta

Heading into Saturday, the rally looked like a Toyota masterclass. But a brutal morning loop triggered unprecedented attrition. Early pacesetters Oliver Solberg and Sébastien Ogier both retired with mechanical issues, while other frontrunners including Elfyn Evans and Thierry Neuville also fell by the wayside.

Katsuta, who had suffered a double puncture earlier but kept going without spare tires, suddenly inherited the overnight lead with a comfortable buffer of 1 minute 25.5 seconds.

On Super Sunday, he resisted the urge to chase stage wins. Instead, he carefully managed the rough terrain of Oserengoni and Hell’s Gate stages, protecting his position through SS17, SS18, SS19 and the final Wolf Power Stage at Hell’s Gate 2.

While others posted blistering times — including Solberg’s fastest runs in several stages — Katsuta focused on consistency. Fourmaux mounted a strong challenge but could not close the gap, finishing 27.4 seconds adrift. Pajari completed the podium.

The win on his 94th WRC start marks a breakthrough for the popular Japanese driver and extends Toyota’s strong record at the event. It also highlights the unpredictable nature of the Safari Rally, long regarded as the ultimate test of driver and machine in the championship.

Katsuta’s success will boost confidence as the World Rally Championship season continues. For Kenyan fans and the global rally community, it was a fitting climax to one of the most dramatic editions in recent memory.