He’s no stranger to the sport by now, and expectations for him have grown. However, last year was a tough one, with Toyota benching Katsuta once, forcing him to sit out the Rally Chile. Yet, strong performances in the final two rounds of the season earned him another chance with the team.
Katsuta has multiple podium finishes in the WRC, but he’s still chasing that elusive first win. Consistency, however, is his primary focus. This year, with Kalle Rovanperä returning to full-time competition and shouldering more of the manufacturer’s championship burden, Katsuta faces slightly less pressure.
“I have some expectations also, but mainly I have to be more consistent compared to last year. I have to show some kind of speed, of course, but then I need to finish in the race. That’s kind of my main goals,” Katsuta says.
“So for sure I feel quite comfortable with the team and the car and everything like went well last year, but except my small mistakes. So just to fix a bit this, this area and I try to do a good job in every race.”
Last year, Katsuta received considerable support from his team, particularly from his teammates. He shares a strong bond with Finnish star Kalle Rovanperä, and the two exchanged plenty of thoughts when Katsuta was struggling.
Given his tenure, Katsuta has likely received more opportunities than many drivers ever would. But 2025 may be his final chance to prove he can become a top-tier competitor.
“Last season was difficult but I felt big support from the team and I learned a lot about how to manage those situations. I definitely feel that it made me stronger and this is a year to show what I learned,” Katsuta reflects.
Many drivers have expressed frustration with the new Hankook tyres, which they’ve had limited testing time with before the first WRC event. Katsuta, however, is optimistic.
“Monte Carlo is one of the most difficult rallies in terms of the conditions, and it’s hard to prepare for everything in only one day of testing. We have to find the best setup to suit the different balance following the change in regulations, but my feeling is generally good with the car and with the tyres.”
