The Japanese driver’s current season has been a mix of hope and despair, but a victory has yet to come.
In February, Katsuta was in the battle for victory in Rally Sweden, but then he made a driving error and ended up in a snowbank.
In the previous WRC event in Portugal, the story was somewhat similar. Katsuta’s pace was sufficient to keep up with the leaders, but then he hit a bank, and they was forced to retire.
It’s one thing to be fast. It’s another to be fast exactly when needed and to avoid mistakes. That is always the mark of a winner and a champion.
Katsuta’s teammate, eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier, knows everything about winning. The Frenchman believes that Katsuta is growing into a winner.
“I think he’s not far from it,” Ogier commented to DirtFish.
“He’s proving now more and more almost every weekend that he has the pace. Unfortunately, it’s still hard for him to make a full weekend without mistakes and that’s of course not good for a rally,” Ogier continued.
However, Ogier believes that Katsuta is constantly learning and improving.
“I like the way he’s approaching this challenge and working very hard,” Ogier said.
Katsuta has already acknowledged that he knows where he needs to improve. Ogier gives his teammate very simple advice.
“Taka, don’t give up, it’s coming soon,” the French champion encouraged.
