Aaron Johnston supports teammate Takamoto Katsuta to thrive in Sweden
Toyota’s protégé Takamoto Katsuta believes that this week’s Rally Sweden is one of the events on the World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar when he can take on more experienced drivers.
the hat is according to Aaron Johnston – the Japanese star’s co-teammate for 2022 – who says they are prepared to “squeeze a fraction more” to achieve their best WRC finish to date.
Five years ago, Katsuta moved to Finland and during that time has become accustomed to driving on snow and ice, with the basic skills that accelerate his development.
He shot to a prominent place in Sweden already in 2018 when he won his first WRC2 victory and beat defending champion Pontus Tidemand in his own backyard in the process.
Speaking ahead of the second round of the World Rally Championship, Johnston confirmed that they had had a productive test before the event in Sweden in addition to an extra day of running on roads near Toyota Gazoo Racing’s factory near Jyväskylä.
“We spent two days in the car. Everything works well, self-confidence is good, we look forward to getting started,” said the Fintona man.
“Snow and ice are surfaces that Taka thrives on. It was very clear to see.
“Sweden is one of the events we identified before the start of the season as we somewhere feel that we are strong and want to do well. Estonia, Finland and New Zealand would be the other three. We will try to put more pressure on them to try to achieve the very best result. “
With round one winner Sebastien Loeb and second Sebastien Ogier non-participants in Rally Sweden, who moves 370 km north of Stockholm to Umeå, Katsuta and Johnston will start sixth on the road on Friday while 2019 champion Ott Tanak will be the last of the Rally1 runners.
“We know Friday is going to be an important day, a huge day when it comes to trying to minimize the loss of time for people like Ott,” Johnston said. “Running as far back as seven has its disadvantages.
“But if we can stay within touching distance [of the podium places] At the end of Friday, we will have a much clearer idea of where we are going on Saturday, ”the 24-year-old continued.
“Everything is possible, especially this year with the event taking place in a new part of Sweden and drivers who lack experience of the roads. It can help Take on what is his favorite round.”
Rally Sweden starts on Friday morning at 7.42 local time, with crews facing seven special stages during the day. Irishman Craig Breen is seeded second in his M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 car.