He headed Volkswagen Polo R team-mate Sébastien Ogier by 2.6sec after almost 160km of flat-out action south-west of Jyväskylä. Kris Meeke completed the top three, the Ulsterman 21.4sec further back in Citroën’s DS 3. Almost half the rally’s competitive distance was crammed into nine gravel speed tests. With no opportunity for service, drivers had to avoid problems as well as adapt to the rollercoaster jumps which make this the fastest round in the FIA World Rally Championship. Ogier lost his overnight lead to Meeke in the opening stage but regained the advantage in the next test to end the morning 5.3sec clear. Latvala was hot on his heels before moving ahead by literally flying...
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