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Takamoto Katsuta snags victory in Croatia after a heart-stopping final stage, as Thierry Neuville faces a shocking turn of fate. This dramatic finish highlights the unpredictable nature of the 2026 World Rally Championship season.
Neuville held a commanding 1m15.4s lead going into the last stage, poised to secure his first win of the season. However, disaster struck when he lost control of his Hyundai i20 N, crashing into a concrete block, resulting in severe front-right damage. Despite finishing the stage, Neuville was ultimately listed as an official retirement, handing Katsuta a stunning win by 20.7s over Sami Pajari, with Hayden Paddon finishing third.
The rally was intense, marked by the retirements of championship frontrunners Elfyn Evans and Oliver Solberg early on. Evans suffered a rare back-to-back retirement after misjudging a corner, while Solberg went off the road just 4.8km into the event.
Stage 14 proved pivotal, with drivers battling challenging conditions that led to multiple punctures. Pajari, initially leading, lost valuable time changing a tire, while Katsuta capitalized on the chaos to climb to second place. This victory marks Katsuta’s second consecutive WRC win, solidifying his momentum in the championship.
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