Eight rounds for rising Japanese star Katsuta in his maiden Toyota season
Toyota Gazoo Racing has confirmed Takamoto Katsuta’s eight-round World Rally Championship effort for
2020 – and looks to be the first to sign up to returning WRC Team regulations.
The FIA has confirmed a one-car WRC Team can score points in the makes’ race next season, but it has to commit to seven European WRC rounds as well as one overseas event.
Katsuta and British co-driver Dan Barritt will do just that, starting Monte Carlo, Sweden, Portugal, Sardinia, Finland, Germany and Wales before they head east for Japan. Katsuta’s car, which will feature a different livery, will be run by Tommi Makinen Racing – as it was when he competed in Germany and Spain this year.
After spending most of the season in a Ford Fiesta R5, Katsuta feels ready to make the step up. “I have good experience of each event from this year,” he said, “but to be able to compete at the top level in a World Rally Car is a big step up.
“Although my first events in the Yaris WRC this year were very positive, I know I still need to improve my driving and my pacenotes to reach a higher level. I’m really motivated to do that and I’m looking forward to seeing how much progress I can make next year.”
Toyota Gazoo Racing Rally Challenge Program supervisor Makinen added: “Takamoto has already gained some experience driving the Yaris WRC this year and just this week he did the final day of our test to prepare for Monte Carlo, so he’s becoming more knowledgeable about the car and gaining a better understanding of how a World Rally Car behaves, compared to what he’s driven before.
“In Spain we had already seen him set some good stage times, especially on his second time through the stages. Now he just needs more experience, which will help him to improve his consistency. I’m very confident that he will show good things throughout his programme.”