{"id":10615403,"date":"2026-01-21T18:13:26","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T17:13:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/acm.mc\/shakedown-katsuta-le-plus-rapide\/"},"modified":"2026-01-22T08:27:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T07:27:30","slug":"shakedown-katsuta-fastest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/acm.mc\/en\/shakedown-katsuta-fastest\/","title":{"rendered":"Shakedown: Katsuta fastest"},"content":{"rendered":"

Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston got off to a flying start in the 94th Rallye Monte-Carlo by setting the fastest time (2’31″8) in the Shakedown on Wednesday afternoon in the hills above Gap. The Japanese driver provided the first minor surprise of this Monte Carlo, which promises to be as exciting as ever.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Obviously, the results of this final practice session before the Official Start in Monaco on Thursday shouldn’t be taken as definitive. However, they will certainly give us plenty to talk about before the first stage kicks off this Thursday, at 16:05 in Toudon.<\/p>\n

Takamoto Katsuta \/ Aaron Johnston<\/strong> set the fastest time of the Shakedown<\/strong> on their very first run. The #18 Toyota crew finished just over a second clear of teammates S\u00e9bastien Ogier \/ Vincent Landais<\/strong> and Oliver Solberg \/ Elliott Edmondson<\/strong>. \u00ab This is a big year for me. I’m quite happy and feeling confident \u00bb<\/em>, the Japanese driver declared.<\/p>\n

Title contenders Elfyn Evans \/ Scott Martin<\/strong> took 4th place ahead of Sami Pajari \/ Marko Salminen<\/strong>, completing an all-Toyota top 5. The three Fords follow, while further down the order, Hyundai opted to run on studded tyres. Adrien Fourmaux \/ Alexandre Coria<\/strong> and Thierry Neuville \/ Martijn Wydaeghe<\/strong> finished 9th and 11th on Rally1 respectively.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Lancia leads the way in WRC2<\/strong><\/p>\n

WRC2 is set to be fiercely contested this year, with 25 crews entered. In this Shakedown, Lancia<\/strong> set the pace. For its return to the World Rally Championship, the Italian manufacturer put both its cars at the top of the timesheets. Nikolay Gryazin \/ Konstantin Aleksandrov<\/strong> (2\u201942\u201d9) finished ahead of Yohan Rossel \/ Arnaud Dunand<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Among the French contingent, Eric Camilli \/ Thibault de la Haye<\/strong> (\u0160koda Fabia RS Rally2) rounded out the top 3. L\u00e9o Rossel<\/strong>, co-driven by Guillaume Mercoiret<\/strong> (Citro\u00ebn C3 Rally2), took fifth place.<\/p>\n