WRC Paraguay: Penultimate stage cancelled after violent Takamoto Katsuta crash
Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston have been taken to hospital for precautionary checks following a violent crash that forced organisers to cancel the penultimate stage at Rally Paraguay. Katsuta's GR Yaris went up onto two wheels while navigating through a fast left and right corner before pitching into a roll. The car then took out a telegraph pole before coming to rest on its ...…
In the penultimate stage of Rally Paraguay, a violent crash forced the cancellation of the event. Takamoto Katsuta, driving for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, experienced a crash while navigating a fast left and right corner. His GR Yaris went up onto two wheels, rolled over, and struck a telegraph pole before coming to rest on its side.
Both driver and co-driver, Aaron Johnston, were taken to the hospital for precautionary checks after the incident, which prompted the red flag from rally control. Rally control made the decision to cancel the stage, and the remaining competitors were instructed to proceed through the stage as a road section. Toyota confirmed that both Katsuta and Johnston are okay, but the car suffered extensive damage.
Toyota deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen expressed that the team is relieved that both crew members are safe, despite the damage to the vehicle. The crash occurred on SS21, and the stage will not be restarted. The race leader, Toyota's Sami Pajari, remains on track to claim his third consecutive WRC win, with a 26.1s lead over Hyundai's Hayden Paddon heading into the final stage.
Hyundai's Adrien Fourmaux moved to third place, 49.4s behind the leader, while M-Sport-Ford's Jon Armstrong retired from seventh position due to damage to the left-rear suspension after hitting a bank in the previous stage.
Written by urgent.news from Motorsport.com's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
