Jari-Matti Latvala has the edge going into the final day of Rally Sweden

11 February 2017 06:24

Finn Jari-Matti Latvala leads the Rally Sweden for Toyota Gazoo Racing following Saturday's third day of action in the snow.

The 31-year-old, whose first World Rally Championship victory came in this event in 2008, finished fifth in the final stage of the day - the 1.9km Super Special Stage Karlstad - to move top of the weekend's standings with a time of two hours, four minutes and 59.3 seconds.

Estonia's Ott Tanak celebrated wins in the four opening stages of the day in his Ford Fiesta and edged past overnight leader Thierry Neuville (Hyundai Motorsport) before stage 12 was cancelled "due to safety reasons after analysing the average speeds on SS9 and on recommendations from the FIA".

Latvala clinched victory on stage 13 to lead Tanak by 3.8secs in the overall standings with reigning champion Sebastien Ogier (M-Sport) a further 12.8secs further back ahead of Sunday's final three stages.

Dani Sordo of Spain finished the day in fourth ahead of Ireland's Craig Breen, while Welshman Elfyn Evans completed the top six as Belgium's Neuville suffered broken steering to slip to 13th.

Source: PA