Last-Stage Twist Sends Katsuta to Croatia Rally Win
In one of the most dramatic finishes of the FIA World Rally Championship season, Takamoto Katsuta clinched a sensational victory at the Croatia Rally after a heartbreaking late crash from Thierry Neuville on the final stage.
Neuville appeared certain to deliver Hyundai its first win of the season, carrying a commanding lead of over a minute into the decisive Wolf Power Stage. However, disaster struck when he hit a concrete block, damaging the front-right suspension of his Hyundai i20 N Rally1 and forcing him out just kilometres from the finish line.
That moment of misfortune handed Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston an unlikely but well-earned victory — their second consecutive triumph in the FIA World Rally Championship following their breakthrough win at Safari Rally Kenya.
Toyota Capitalises as Drama Unfolds
Katsuta’s measured drive throughout the rally proved crucial. Heading into the final stage, he appeared set to settle for second place, even clocking only the fifth fastest time on the Power Stage. But Neuville’s late exit reshuffled the standings dramatically.
Toyota’s dominance was further reinforced as Sami Pajari secured second place, finishing 20.7 seconds behind Katsuta. Hayden Paddon completed the podium in third, marking an impressive return with his first Croatia Rally appearance and first podium since 2018.
For much of the weekend, Pajari had looked like a potential winner. He led from Friday morning until a costly puncture on Stage 14 dropped him out of contention. Despite the setback, his second-place finish marked a third consecutive podium — a sign of growing consistency.
Championship Shake-Up
Katsuta’s victory has significant implications for the championship standings. The Japanese driver now leads the drivers’ championship with 84 points, moving ahead of Elfyn Evans, while Oliver Solberg sits third.
Toyota also strengthened its grip on the manufacturers’ standings, extending its lead over Hyundai with a commanding points advantage.
Standout Performances Beyond the Podium
Despite an early crash, Solberg delivered a remarkable comeback, dominating the Super Sunday classification and showcasing the pace he might have carried throughout the rally.
Meanwhile, in WRC2, Yohan Rossel secured a historic victory for Lancia, bringing the Ypsilon HF Rally2 its first win in the category. The result also marked Lancia’s first top-five overall finish in a WRC event since 1994 — a milestone moment for the iconic brand.
Final Classification Highlights
- T. Katsuta / A. Johnston – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – 2h 51m 15.8s
- S. Pajari / M. Salminen – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +20.7s
- H. Paddon / J. Kennard – Hyundai i20 N Rally1 +2m 07.7s
- Y. Rossel / A. Dunand – Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally2 +5m 19.9s
- L. Rossel / G. Mercoiret – Citroën C3 Rally2 +5m 58.7s
- N. Gryazin / K. Aleksandrov – Lancia Ypsilon HF Rally2 +6m 17.8s
What’s Next?
The WRC now remains on asphalt as teams prepare for Rally Islas Canarias, set to take place from 23–26 April on the island of Gran Canaria. After the drama in Croatia, all eyes will be on whether Katsuta can maintain his momentum — or if rivals will bounce back from one of the season’s most unforgettable twists.
