Takamoto Katsuta will tackle eight rounds of next year’s World Rally Championship in a Toyota Yaris WRC, including his home event – the season-closing Rally Japan.
The 26-year-old drove a Yaris during his top-class WRC debut in Germany this year – where he took a top 10 finish – and also contested Spain in the same car.
He spent 2017-’19 building his speed in the WRC 2 category in a Ford Fiesta R5, and keeps the same co-driver for next season, Dan Barritt.
Katsuta starts his programme with next month’s Monte Carlo Rally. Sweden, Portugal, Sardinia, Finland, Germany and Wales follow in Europe before he heads east for Japan.
Katsuta’s fourth Yaris WRC will run alongside the factory cars of Sebastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanpera, but it’s likely to be serviced separately by Tommi Makinen Racing and run a different livery to the official cars.
“I have good experience of each event from this year, but to be able to compete at the top level in a World Rally Car is a big step up,” said ex-Japanese Formula 3 racer Katsuta.
“Although my first events in the Yaris WRC this year were very positive, I know I still need to improve my driving and my pace-notes to reach a higher level.
“I’m really motivated to do that and I’m looking forward to seeing how much progress I can make next year.
“I hope I can show a good step between the beginning and the end of the season, and I’m really excited for it to start and I must say thank you very much to Toyota Gazoo Racing and Tommi Makinen Racing for giving me this amazing opportunity.”
Toyota Gazoo Racing Rally Challenge Program supervisor Makinen added: “Takamoto has already gained some experience driving the Yaris WRC this year, and just this week he did the final day of our test to prepare for Monte Carlo.
“So he’s becoming more knowledgeable about the car and gaining a better understanding of how a World Rally Car behaves, compared to what he’s driven before.
“In Spain we had already seen him set some good stage times, especially on his second time through the stages.
“Now he just needs more experience, which will help him to improve his consistency.
“I’m very confident that he will show good things throughout his programme of events in 2020.”