Drama as Katsuta wins to take WRC lead over EvansImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta and Northern Ireland co-driver Aaron Johnston were handed an unlikely win in CroatiaByAndy GrayBBC Sport NI JournalistPublished53 minutes agoToyota’s Takamoto Katsuta claimed the World Rally Championship lead after being handed a dramatic victory at Rally Croatia following Thierry Neuville’s last-stage crash.Hyundai driver Neuville, who won the title in 2024, held a lead of one minute and 15 seconds heading into the final stage but he slid wide on a bend and broke the suspension on his car against a concrete block. The Belgian driver was forced to pull off the road with damage, which gifted Katsuta and Northern Ireland co-driver Aaron Johnston their second WRC victory in a row, while Sami Pajari and Hayden Paddon completed the podium. Katsuta’s victory, which comes after his maiden win in Kenya, means that Wales’ Elfyn Evans has dropped to second in the standings and is seven points behind his Toyota team-mate. Evans and co-driver Scott Martin crashed out of the lead on Friday after a rare error, but a strong showing for Super Sunday bonus points and on the closing power stage saw him claw back crucial points in the championship battle.
