Analysis
Johnston injury forces Katsuta co-driver change for Chile
Aaron Johnston will miss Rally Chile due to injury, with James Fulton stepping in alongside Takamoto Katsuta for Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Toyota Gazoo Racing has confirmed a co-driver change for Takamoto Katsuta ahead of next week's Rally Chile, with Aaron Johnston sidelined due to injury. James Fulton, another Toyota Gazoo Racing co-driver, will deputize for his recovering countryman, marking a significant adjustment for the Japanese driver in the penultimate South American round of the 2026 World Rally Championship season.
Johnston's Recovery Extends
Johnston's absence stems from a fractured collarbone sustained during a high-speed crash with Katsuta at Rally Paraguay, the preceding WRC event. His recovery is progressing, but the tight schedule between the two South American rallies, effectively a double-header, leaves insufficient time for his return to competition. DirtFish reported Johnston’s statement, acknowledging that a typical break between rallies might have allowed for a different outcome, but the immediate succession of these events made his participation impossible.
Johnston expressed his frustration at missing a rally, highlighting his usual determination to compete whenever possible. However, he also conveyed confidence in his ongoing treatment, anticipating a swift return to the cockpit when medically cleared. The accident in Paraguay was severe, involving a left-right combination of corners where their car went onto two wheels for an extended period. Katsuta attempted to stabilize the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, but the speed and road direction prevented recovery, leading to impacts with a concrete telegraph pole and subsequently the ground from a considerable height. Johnston emphasized the harshness of both impacts.
Fulton Steps In
James Fulton’s appointment alongside Katsuta provides a degree of continuity for Toyota Gazoo Racing, as he is already integrated within the team's co-driver roster. This substitution underscores the depth of talent within top-tier WRC teams, allowing for experienced personnel to step in during unforeseen circumstances. While a change in co-driver mid-season can present challenges for driver-co-driver synergy, both Fulton and Katsuta are seasoned professionals in the WRC, which should mitigate potential disruptions.
Championship Implications and Finnish Angle
This marks a challenging period for Katsuta and Johnston, who had previously secured a breakthrough WRC victory in Kenya earlier in the season. Katsuta currently sits third in the drivers' championship with 160 points, behind Elfyn Evans on 201 points and Emil Lindholm on 171 points. The upcoming Rally Chile represents a crucial opportunity for Katsuta to maintain his strong championship position, even with the co-driver change. The performance of Kalle Rovanperä, another Toyota Gazoo Racing driver, will be closely watched, as will Esapekka Lappi, who has accrued 25 points this season. With four rounds remaining in the 2026 World Rally Championship, every rally is vital for championship contenders, and any alteration to established crews introduces an element of uncertainty.
Status And Sources
This story is labelled Analysis, which means this is our reading of facts that are already established. The rules behind those labels are in the editorial policy, and the desk that published it is Sanni Koskela.
Written from the following reporting. Each link goes to the newsroom's own page, not to an aggregator:
- DirtFishdirtfish.com
