Sports & Championship

Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team delivered a dominant one-two finish at the Croatia Rally, continuing its strong performance in the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship season.

Driving the No. 18 Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston secured first place, marking their second consecutive win of the season. Teammates Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen followed closely, finishing second in the No. 5 car.

Strong Championship Momentum

Following the fourth round of the season, Toyota has extended its lead in the manufacturers’ championship by 65 points, while Katsuta moves to the top of the drivers’ standings for the first time in his career. His latest victory follows a breakthrough win at Safari Rally Kenya, making him the first Japanese driver to lead the championship.

Challenging Rally Conditions

The Croatia Rally returned to the calendar after a one-year absence, featuring a revised route of technical asphalt stages. While conditions remained dry, drivers faced changing surface grip levels, placing emphasis on precision driving and tyre management.

Katsuta and Johnston maintained consistent pace before taking the lead and controlling the final stages to secure victory. Pajari and Salminen also demonstrated strong form, remaining among the front-runners throughout and achieving their third consecutive podium finish.

Leadership Perspective

Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota Gazoo Racing, praised the team’s performance, highlighting the importance of both crews finishing the rally and contributing to the one-two result.

Toyota’s Motorsport Legacy

Toyota has long been active across multiple motorsport disciplines, including Formula One and endurance racing. Since the establishment of Toyota Gazoo Racing in 2015, the company has unified its motorsport efforts under one brand, using competitive racing environments to develop advanced technologies and improve vehicle performance.

Next Round Ahead

The championship now moves to the next stage, the Rally Islas Canarias, scheduled from April 23 to 26. The event will feature mountainous asphalt routes across Gran Canaria, with abrasive, high-grip surfaces presenting new challenges for teams and drivers.

Race Results

• 1st Place: Takamoto Katsuta / Aaron Johnston – 2h 51m 15.8s
• 2nd Place: Sami Pajari / Marko Salminen – +20.7s

The result reinforces Toyota Gazoo Racing’s dominance in the 2026 WRC season, as the team continues to set the pace in both driver and manufacturer standings.

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