Toyota has benched Takamoto Katsuta for the next round of the World Rally Championship in Chile – with rising star Sami Pajari taking his place aboard the factory GR Yaris Rally1 in South America.
The beleaguered Japanese has struggled for form this season with a solitary Safari Rally second being his only visit to the podium through 2024. Conversely, Pajari impressed hugely on his Rally1 debut, finishing fourth at Secto Rally Finland and winning his ninth stage in the car. Since then he delivered a similarly surefooted drive to bring a GR Yaris Rally2 to the same overall result in Greece last week.
Talking about Katsuta, team principal Jari-Matti Latvala said: “It has been a tough season, but he has the full support of the team and everybody knows that he has the speed. With this break, he has a chance to reset and recharge ready for the last two events which will be important – especially Rally Japan of course, where we hope he can be fighting for the podium places again.”
When talking ahead of last week’s Lamia-based event, Latvala told DirtFish not to be surprised to see Pajari back in the factory car before the end of the year. The thinking was always a seat for Central Europe Rally, which fitted more comfortably with the team’s logistics. DirtFish understands the decision was taken on Sunday evening to install him alongside Sébastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä for round 10.
Latvala added: “After the great performance that Sami Pajari showed at Rally Finland, we wanted to see more of what he can do in a Rally1 car. The main goal in Finland was to gain experience, but he already demonstrated his high potential. In Greece too, he again showed the high level he’s been driving at with the GR Yaris Rally2 car.
“As we look to invest further in talented young drivers for the future, it’s important to learn more about Sami’s abilities, firstly on some different gravel roads on the other side of the world in Chile, and then on asphalt in Central Europe. He will be driving a fourth car, so there is no pressure upon him to contribute towards the championship. For us it’s more about investing in the future and gaining that experience.”
Predictably, Pajari is delighted with the chance to drive the GR Yaris Rally1 on two of the remaining three events.
He said: “It is amazing to have this chance to drive the GR Yaris Rally1 on two more events this season. It feels really nice to know that TGR-WRT is putting this trust in me.
“Rally Finland was like a dream come true for me, and after that of course I just wanted to drive a Rally1 car more and more, but I could not have expected that the opportunity would come again so soon.
“I’m really looking forward to Rally Chile, with some nice gravel roads that are mostly flowing and high-speed, so a bit similar to Finland.”
CER will be Pajari’s asphalt debut aboard the Rally1 car and he’s well aware of what a tricky event it can be.
He added: “Central Europe can be even more demanding given how wet and muddy we saw it can be last year. For my first time in a Rally1 car on asphalt on such a rally, it could be quite a challenge but it’s one that I’m really happy to face, of course.”
Katsuta will return to compete in both CER and his home event in Japan.
He wrote on social media: “We will have a short break from competition after an intense summer that maybe didn’t go as planned, can help me reset and come back stronger for CER and 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.
“Sami and Enni are really great and I wish them all the best for the rally.”
