Katsuta loses fifth after dramatic final-stage Safari…

A dramatic final-stage roll has forced Takamoto Katsuta to retire from fifth position at Safari Rally Kenya after failing to reach the final time control.

Katsuta appeared to be on course to finish a highly commendable fourth in Kenya before drama struck on the 21st and final stage of the event.

Pushing for Super Sunday points, the Japanese driver lost control of his Toyota GR Yaris which then pitched into a roll with the car coming to a rest on its roof early in the 10.53km Hells Gate Power Stage.

Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston were able to roll the car back onto its wheels and began to continue through the stage. As they reached the final splits, the car began to lose power before crawling across the finish line.

The incident cost the pair three minutes, dropping them down a position to fifth behind Toyota team-mate Sami Pajari.

“I don’t know what’s happened. I’m just sorry for the team, nothing else," said a visibly upset Katsuta at the stage end.

Takamoto Katsuta, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT (Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool)

However, the damage sustained to the car meant Katsuta was unable to drive back to the service park and reach the final time control, which is required by the rules to secure the finish.

“It was very unexpected and I don’t know exactly what happened, but I had to push and I was pushing. This thing can happen, and I feel very sorry for the team,” he said after the finish.

“The pace was good and it was a strong performance, but at the end I am very frustrated and not happy with myself."

The retirement means Katsuta loses the 10 points on offer for finishing fifth under the new-for-2025 points system.

It comes as a bitter blow after an eventful weekend that witnessed Katsuta battle through a bout of food poisoning and a series of punctures, the latter preventing him from starting the final day in third position.

Katsuta’s exit means M-Sport-Ford’s Gregoire Munster has now inherited fifth, equalling his career best result in WRC. Munster was also emotional at the finish after revealing his grandfather had passed away at the start of the rally.

WRC2 winner Gus Greensmith finished sixth ahead of fellow WRC2 rival Jan Solans, while Jourdan Serderidis, Fabrizio Zaldivar and M-Sport rookie Josh McErlean completed the points-paying positions.