Toyota announced on Wednesday that Sami Pajari will get the opportunity to showcase his skills in Toyota’s Rally1 car at the WRC rounds in Chile and Central Europe. At the same time, the team revealed that Katsuta has been dropped from the lineup for the Chilean event to allow the Japanese driver to “reset.”
Read more: Toyota makes significant revelations alongside Pajari news
Katsuta was originally scheduled to participate in all WRC rounds this year with Toyota’s Rally1 car, including the Chilean gravel event. However, after a series of disappointments, Toyota has decided to give him a short break.
The final straw leading to Katsuta’s removal from Toyota’s lineup was last weekend’s Acropolis Rally in Greece, where the Japanese driver damaged his car and had to retire from the fight for the lead on the first day. Katsuta had faced the exact same fate in the previous round in Finland.
Katsuta addressed his situation on his social media channels.
“I and Aaron (co-driver Johnston) will not drive Rally Chile. We will have a short break from competition after an intense summer that maybe didn’t go as planned,” Katsuta wrote.
“(The break) can help me reset and come back stronger for CER and Rally Japan. Of course it’s tough and I am really disappointed with myself, but the team is supporting me to find again the good feeling.”
Despite giving up his seat to Pajari, Katsuta expressed no hard feelings.
“Sami and Enni (co-driver Mälkönen) are really great and I wish them all the best for the rally!”
Pajari will race in Chile alongside teammates Elfyn Evans, Sebastien Ogier, and Kalle Rovanperä. In Central Europe, Toyota’s drivers will include Evans, Ogier, Katsuta, and Pajari.
