Toyota GAZOO Racing Croatia Rally delivered a dominant performance on April 15, 2026, as the Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team maintained their podium streak with a one-two victory. Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston claimed first place in the No. 18 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1, securing their second consecutive 2026 FIA World Rally Championship win. Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen finished second in the No. 5 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1.
Following the season’s fourth round, Toyota leads the manufacturers’ championship by 65 points. Katsuta moved into the lead of the drivers’ standings for the first time in his career, becoming the first Japanese driver to head the championship. The result comes weeks after his maiden win at Safari Rally Kenya.
Championship Standings After Croatia Rally
Katsuta and Johnston remained close to the front throughout the stages before moving into the lead as the rally unfolded. Managing the closing stages with control, the duo secured victory to complete a back-to-back winning run. Pajari and Salminen stayed among the front-runners throughout, securing second place after holding podium positions across the stages. The result marks their third consecutive podium finish and their best rally result to date.
Akio Toyoda, TGR-WRT Chairman, said: “This one-two finish was possible because both Takamoto and Sami reached the finish. Congratulations to Takamoto and Aaron for taking their second consecutive win. And congratulations also to Sami and Marko for achieving three podiums in a row.”
Croatia Rally Course Conditions
Croatia Rally returned to the WRC calendar after a one-year absence with a new base and revised route featuring challenging asphalt stages. Despite dry conditions, changing surface characteristics and varying grip levels across the stages placed a premium on precision driving and tyre management. The event tested both driver skill and vehicle performance across multiple demanding sections.
The automotive competition showcased how modern rally vehicles handle extreme conditions. Teams had to adapt their strategies based on real-time track feedback and tire degradation patterns throughout the event.
Race Results and Timing
No. 18 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston) finished in 2 hours, 51 minutes, and 15.8 seconds. No. 5 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen) completed the rally in 2 hours, 51 minutes, and 36.5 seconds, finishing 20.7 seconds behind the winners.
Next WRC Round: Rally Islas Canarias
Round five of the 2026 FIA WRC is Rally Islas Canarias, scheduled for April 23-26. The event features mountainous asphalt stages across the island of Gran Canaria. The route’s abrasive, high-grip surfaces, formed in part by volcanic lava, place unique demands on tyre performance and vehicle control. Teams will face different technical challenges compared to Croatia’s conditions.
Toyota’s motorsports program continues to demonstrate competitive performance across multiple racing disciplines. The manufacturer’s commitment to automotive excellence through racing has yielded consistent results throughout the 2026 season.
