Rally Sweden 2026, SS8: Katsuta ends Day 2 at the top of the standings

The second day of the Swedish rally was once again dominated by Toyota, which was almost entirely in control from the second special stage to the eighth. However, during Day 2, significant changes occurred at the top of the general classification, first with the leadership held by Elfyn Evans, who, after overtaking Oliver Solberg, gradually lost ground to Takamoto Katsuta, who in the Scandinavian afternoon managed to climb to the provisional first place after completing excellent performances.

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SS2-SS4: Evans takes the lead

On the Swedish morning of Day 2, Evans took the lead of the general classification thanks to the best time set in SS2 and SS3, overtaking Solberg despite the latter’s return to the top in SS4. Unlike the Welshman, the winner of the Monegasque rally committed errors in the first two special stages, particularly in the second, with an off-road excursion that caused a puncture and demotion to 5th place. The virtual podium nonetheless included other Toyota drivers like Katsuta and Pajari, 2nd and 3rd respectively, followed closely by a remarkable Esapekka Lappi, the best of the Hyundai lineup. Speaking of the Korean manufacturer, Neuville (7th) also took a risk with an off-road excursion, all in a morning to be completely forgotten for M-Sport and for Bertelli, repeatedly dealing with tire problems. Paying the greatest consequences in this regard was the Italian driver himself, who after a puncture in the early stages of SS2 damaged the bodywork and brakes of his Toyota, even falling out of the top-20.

Read more Evans triumphs in the 2026 Rally Sweden and becomes the new world championship leader

SS5-SS8: the leadership is short-lived

The afternoon session instead began with excellent performances from Takamoto Katsuta, who despite the best times in SS5 and SS6 failed to take the overall lead, still held by Evans. Also very positive were the performances of Pajari, who thanks to the second position reached in both stages narrowed the gap on the other Toyota drivers, thus maintaining third place in an early afternoon that was still lackluster for Solberg, who was only 8th in both stages. Two results that allowed Fourmaux to recover on the Swede and jump to provisional 5th place, maintained also in the final two stages of Day 2, during which Katsuta once again stood out: the Japanese Toyota driver finished in third position in the two stages, but with performances this time sufficient to become the new leader of the Rally Sweden ahead of Evans, who was on the edge of the top-5 in the final rounds and is now two seconds behind the Japanese driver. Good signs from Hyundai with Neuville in SS7, as well as for Solberg, who returned to set the best time in the following stage while remaining in 6th place in the general classification. Currently, Katsuta leads the group ahead of Evans and Pajari, for a Toyota trio.

Read more Driver and Team Standings after Rally Sweden 2026

Rally Sweden 2026, standings after SS8 (Top-10)