The Monte Carlo Rally is notorious for its treacherous, ice-laden roads, and the 2025 season opener delivered no shortage of drama. For Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta and rookie Sami Pajari, the storied event became a tale of tough lessons and unfortunate strategy calls, leaving the Japanese driver off-track in a hedge and Pajari in a ditch by Sunday morning.
Katsuta’s Gamble Gone Wrong
In the early hours of Sunday, Katsuta’s rally came to a grinding halt just a mile into the opening stage. The Japanese driver’s decision to mix studded winter tires with supersofts—while reigning champion Thierry Neuville opted for full studded Hankooks—proved disastrous. A slide on the frozen surface sent his Toyota beached into a hedge, ending his Monte Carlo Rally prematurely.
Katsuta’s weekend had already been a struggle. Battling illness leading up to the rally, the Toyota driver couldn’t find his usual form, despite a standout stage win on Saturday. Given the added pressure of performing in a season that could define his career, the early exit couldn’t have come at a worse time.
Latvala Takes Responsibility
Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala stepped in to share the blame for Katsuta’s mishap. “I little bit blame myself,” Latvala admitted. “I should have pushed him to take four studded tires. We knew it would freeze after the safety crews passed the stages.”
While Toyota’s lead drivers Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans took the safer full-studded approach and ultimately finished first and second, Katsuta’s and Pajari’s riskier tire choices left them vulnerable to Monte Carlo’s notorious ice traps.
Pajari’s Painful Lesson
Sami Pajari, a Monte Carlo rookie in a top-class car, faced his own calamity on the same stage. The Finnish driver misjudged his braking on an icy bridge, sending his car into a ditch below. Pajari, who had been running in a distant seventh, was left with little to show for his weekend beyond some hard-earned lessons.
Latvala defended Pajari, framing the incident as part of the learning curve. “With Sami, I think it was also too much speed,” he said. “Bridges are always very icy in Monte Carlo, and it’s something for him to learn. But this is a learning year for Sami. These things are part of the experience.”
Bright Spots Amidst the Chaos
Despite the missteps, Latvala remains optimistic about Pajari’s prospects heading into Rally Sweden, a surface more familiar to the Finn. “He will be more comfortable driving those conditions,” Latvala assured. For Katsuta, a reset in Sweden may also provide the opportunity to rebuild confidence after a disappointing start.
The Big Picture
Monte Carlo’s icy unpredictability continues to test even the most seasoned rally veterans. For Toyota, the contrasting fortunes of their drivers underscore the razor-thin margins that separate glory from heartbreak. As the team shifts focus to Sweden, Latvala’s emphasis on learning and adapting will be key to ensuring his drivers bounce back stronger.
Whether Katsuta and Pajari can turn early setbacks into long-term growth remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Rallying leaves no room for hesitation, and every choice, from tire strategies to braking points, can make—or break—a season.