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Takamoto Katsuta labels Rally Japan as his "worst day of the season so far," despite the pressure of competing at home not being a factor. Here’s why his experience sheds light on the challenges drivers face during high-stakes events.
Katsuta aimed for victory after securing his first WRC win in Kenya and another in Croatia. However, disaster struck early in the damp opening stage when he ran wide, resulting in a left rear puncture. The setback cost him 6.7 seconds, and further complications arose as he had to switch to a hard tire for the following wet stages, leading to additional time loss. By midday service, he found himself 43.8 seconds off the lead after a near-off in stage three.
Despite the mounting pressure, Katsuta emphasizes that miscommunication with his route note crew about changing conditions was the main issue. He reflected, “So many things went wrong,” and expressed disappointment in his performance. Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala noted that Katsuta's desire to win may have led him to push too hard, recalling his own experiences in similar situations. With two days left in the rally, Katsuta is determined to rebound stronger.
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