Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston have won the 2026 Croatia Rally, which ran from April 9 to 12.

The two won the rally for Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team, and it was Katsuta’s second consecutive win this season. Sitting at 81 points at the moment, Katsuta and Johnston now have a seven-point lead on Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin.

Evans and Katsuta both are contenders to win the World Rally Championship this year, but Katsuta now has built up a lead early in the season.

Thierry Neuville had a rough crash very late in the rally. On the last stage with a one-minute lead on Katsuta, Neuville slipped on a corner through a patch of mud, sliding his car into a concrete block and breaking his front right suspension.

Without that crash, Neuville could have won the rally, and it could have changed the dynamic for the championship battle.

Katsuta had suffered a tire puncture on special stage 14, giving Neuville the lead earlier in the race. Other than this minor damage, Katsuta’s car didn’t crash or take major damage.

Evans crashed out on special stage 3 on April 10 after he misunderstood the notes from Martin, his co-driver. Evans misread what the turn was, causing him to be late, and he also experienced understeer, sending him into the foliage on the bank of the route. 

This crash early on in the rally probably cost Evans the win, especially since he was holding the lead heading into this stage of the rally.

The Croatia Rally is renowned for its difficulty and intensity despite the shorter distance compared to other rallies. This difficulty leads to a good amount of crashes, like those experienced by Evans and Neuville.

The fifth round of the World Rally Championship will take place in Spain.