Mexico is the first of a run of six loose-surface rallies, and the first event where drivers at the head of the field are forced to sweep a clean line for the cars behind. In the expected hot and dry conditions, first on the road is tough going. The layer of fine, loose gravel covering the stages is thicker than any other round - making the road-sweeping effect as bad as it gets. As championship leader, Volkswagen’s Sebastien Ogier has the dubious honour of being road opener on both Friday and Saturday. The situation won’t be much better for Thierry Neuville and Andreas Mikkelsen, who start second and third. Conversely, drivers lower in the standings, and therefore the start order,...
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