Katsuta wins Safari Rally 2026 as Fourmaux and Pajari complete podium
The driver Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston of Team Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, face the first day of the race during the FIA World Rally Championship WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha, Kenya, on March 13, 2026. (Photo by Luca Barsali/NurPhoto) (Photo by Luca Barsali / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)
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Toyota Gazoo World Rally driver Takamoto Katusta is the WRC Safari Rally 2026 champion, making history with his first-ever World Rally Championship crown.
Taka and co-driver Aaron Johnston sealed victory by 27.4 seconds, ending years of near misses in the championship.
France’s Adrien Fourmaux finished second to hand Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT its first podium of the season, while Toyota youngster Sami Pajari completed the podium in third.
Katsuta’s breakthrough triumph lifts him to second in the championship standings, three points behind leader Elfyn Evans, who retired on Saturday after suspension damage.
Rising star Oliver Solberg also dropped out of the lead battle but salvaged points after dominating Super Sunday and setting the fastest time in the rally’s Power Stage.
Katsuta survives Safari chaos
Katsuta’s rally started on a difficult note after heavy rain during the opening Camp Moran stage caused his intercom to fail, leaving him without pace notes from Johnston.
Further trouble struck on Friday when a puncture dropped the Japanese driver to seventh overall overnight.
However, a measured approach on Saturday’s punishing gravel stages allowed Katsuta to steadily climb up the leaderboard.
His breakthrough came when several of his Toyota team-mates ran into problems.
Evans suffered two punctures on Stage 12, weakening his rear suspension before it finally failed on the following stage, forcing him to retire.
Solberg and eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier also stopped on the road section back to service with mechanical issues, handing Katsuta the rally lead.
From there, the Japanese driver controlled the pace and avoided major mistakes to secure a historic win. The emotional winner struggled to contain his feelings at the finish.
“I don’t know what to say. We have had so many difficult moments,” said Katsuta.
“Aaron has worked very hard with me and the team always believed in me even when things were not going well.”
He added: “My family has always supported me and this victory means so much. So many things happened this weekend but finally we are here.”
Hyundai and Toyota fill the podium
Fourmaux delivered a solid drive despite Hyundai battling overheating issues throughout the rally weekend.
Pajari, meanwhile, finished third despite losing over five minutes after suffering a tyre explosion and another puncture on Saturday morning.
Esapekka Lappi adopted a cautious strategy to survive the gruelling Kenyan stages and was rewarded with fourth place — his first points finish at the Safari.
The 2025 champion Thierry Neuville retired on Saturday after suffering three punctures in a single stage.
WRC2 battle.
In the WRC2 category, Estonia’s Robert Virves claimed victory on his first appearance in Kenya, beating Gus Greensmith by 30.3 seconds.
Paraguay’s Fau Zaldívar completed the podium ahead of Andreas Mikkelsen.
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