Toyota's Katsuta gets WRC car for eight rounds in 2020 WRC
Takamoto Katsuta will tackle eight rounds of next year's World Rally Championship in a Toyota Yaris WRC, including his home event - the season-closing Rally Japan
The 26-year-old drove a Yaris during his top-class WRC debut in Germany this year - where he took a top 10 finish - and also contested Spain in the same car.
He spent 2017-'19 building his speed in the WRC 2 category in a Ford Fiesta R5, and keeps the same co-driver for next season, Dan Barritt.
Katsuta starts his programme with next month's Monte Carlo Rally. Sweden, Portugal, Sardinia, Finland, Germany and Wales follow in Europe before he heads east for Japan.
Katsuta's fourth Yaris WRC will run alongside the factory cars of Sebastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanpera, but it's likely to be serviced separately by Tommi Makinen Racing and run a different livery to the official cars.
"I have good experience of each event from this year, but to be able to compete at the top level in a World Rally Car is a big step up," said ex-Japanese Formula 3 racer Katsuta.
"Although my first events in the Yaris WRC this year were very positive, I know I still need to improve my driving and my pace-notes to reach a higher level.
"I'm really motivated to do that and I'm looking forward to seeing how much progress I can make next year.
"I hope I can show a good step between the beginning and the end of the season, and I'm really excited for it to start and I must say thank you very much to Toyota Gazoo Racing and Tommi Makinen Racing for giving me this amazing opportunity."
Toyota Gazoo Racing Rally Challenge Program supervisor Makinen added: "Takamoto has already gained some experience driving the Yaris WRC this year, and just this week he did the final day of our test to prepare for Monte Carlo.
"So he's becoming more knowledgeable about the car and gaining a better understanding of how a World Rally Car behaves, compared to what he's driven before.
- Autosport Plus on Katsuta
- The F3 convert carrying a nation's WRC hopes
"In Spain we had already seen him set some good stage times, especially on his second time through the stages.
"Now he just needs more experience, which will help him to improve his consistency.
"I'm very confident that he will show good things throughout his programme of events in 2020."
No works Skoda team in WRC next year, team could sign Oliver Solberg
Rally Chile replacement call unclear, could be made during 2020 WRC
The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends
The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends
Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies
Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
Katsuta: Rovanpera's driving tips key to WRC Finland podium
Katsuta: Rovanpera's driving tips key to WRC Finland podium Katsuta: Rovanpera's driving tips key to WRC Finland podium
Sordo explains peculiar WRC Rally Sardinia roll
Sordo explains peculiar WRC Rally Sardinia roll Sordo explains peculiar WRC Rally Sardinia roll
Katsuta receives promotion as Toyota reveals 2023 WRC line-up
Katsuta receives promotion as Toyota reveals 2023 WRC line-up Katsuta receives promotion as Toyota reveals 2023 WRC line-up
Ogier: “No reason to change anything” for 2024 amid Hyundai WRC rumours
Ogier: “No reason to change anything” for 2024 amid Hyundai WRC rumours Ogier: “No reason to change anything” for 2024 amid Hyundai WRC rumours
Toyota: Being the "smartest driver" earned Rovanpera Acropolis WRC win
Toyota: Being the "smartest driver" earned Rovanpera Acropolis WRC win Toyota: Being the "smartest driver" earned Rovanpera Acropolis WRC win
The ground-up refresh behind Toyota's new Le Mans challenger
The ground-up refresh behind Toyota's new Le Mans challenger The ground-up refresh behind Toyota's new Le Mans challenger
Sutton “owes Rowbottom a beer” for qualifying teamwork
Sutton “owes Rowbottom a beer” for qualifying teamwork Sutton “owes Rowbottom a beer” for qualifying teamwork
Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner
Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner
MotoGP Indian GP: Full Moto2 and Moto3 race results
MotoGP Indian GP: Full Moto2 and Moto3 race results MotoGP Indian GP: Full Moto2 and Moto3 race results
Gasly 'doesn't understand' Alpine order to swap positions in F1 Japanese GP
Gasly 'doesn't understand' Alpine order to swap positions in F1 Japanese GP Gasly 'doesn't understand' Alpine order to swap positions in F1 Japanese GP
How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph
How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph How the WRC saw a different side to Rovanpera in his latest Acropolis triumph
How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg
How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg How iconic cars from each WRC era compare at the hands of Petter Solberg
How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland
How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland How the WRC title race was ignited by Evans in Finland
How Rovanpera reached a Loeb-like level in Estonia WRC domination
How Rovanpera reached a Loeb-like level in Estonia WRC domination How Rovanpera reached a Loeb-like level in Estonia WRC domination
How Ogier held his nerve to repeat Toyota's Safari WRC rout
How Ogier held his nerve to repeat Toyota's Safari WRC rout How Ogier held his nerve to repeat Toyota's Safari WRC rout
The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought
The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought The Neuville splash and grab that ends Hyundai’s WRC win drought
How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal
How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal
How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough
How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.