Katsuta apologizes for crashing out of Rally Spain on SS1

Takamoto Katsuta has apologized to the Toyota Gazoo Racing team and his co-driver Aaron Johnston after crashing on the opening stage of Rally Spain.

Despite an electric start to the season where Katsuta was never outside the top six and claimed a maiden World Rally Championship podium on Safari Rally Kenya, his form has been desperate ever since.

On Rally Estonia he was forced to pull out of the rally just as he got into a podium place early on as navigator Daniel Barritt hurt his back. On Ypres Rally, with new co-driver Keaton Williams, he crashed and then he couldn’t even get to start the Acropolis Rally as Williams had a family emergency halfway through recce and had to fly home.

Partnered with Aaron Johnston for Rally Finland, the pair won the opening street stage but suffered a high-speed spin on the next and then crashed out for the day on the second loop.

Katsuta therefore knew he needed a consistent performance in Spain, but towards the end of the very first stage he approached a tightening right-hander with way too much speed and smacked the protective Armco barrier.

This did significant damage to the front-left corner of his Toyota Yaris WRC, so while Katsuta managed to get to the end of the stage he was forced to retire on the road section immediately afterwards.

“Unfortunately we had a crash and hit the barrier at the end of the stage,” said Katsuta as he explained his accident. “I misunderstand something from the pacenotes.

“Aaron did it correct but I just didn’t understand maybe correctly. I expected an easier corner but it tightens a lot and at that speed we cannot stop.

“I am very sorry to the team and Aaron because they are preparing very well and we came here to take good result and show speed but unfortunately it ended by my mistake. So yeah… to be honest I have nothing to say so much.”

Asked if he would be able to restart the rally on Saturday, Katsuta responded: “I am hoping so but this is really not what I expected.”