Volkswagen's Jari-Matti Latvala wants a fair chance in Sweden

Heavy snow has fallen on Friday's stages in Norway and the weekend roads in Sweden, with potential for even more overnight on Thursday.

Latvala will be second onto the stages this week behind Volkswagen team-mate Sebastien Ogier, as they lead the standings following last month's Monte Carlo season-opener.

Running at the front of the field in heavy snow means the 6.5mm metal studs in their tyres cannot bite through the powder and into the ice base beneath, but they will clear the surface for those following.

"I remember in 2011, it snowed on the first morning," said three-time Rally Sweden winner Latvala.

"I was second on the road behind Sebastien Loeb, I took 14 seconds out of him, but I still lost 20 seconds to the fastest time! That's the difference it can make.

"I just hope if the snow does come then they send the [snow] blower through it to try; I want them to clear the road a little bit.

"It is going to cost time, running where we are on the road.

"During our test, we simulated these conditions and found that around five or six is the best place on the road."

Latvala added that while hard for those early in the start order, the stage conditions would generally be better for the snowfall.

"We can't change these rules, they are made, so now we will get on with driving and do the best we can," he said.

"Worrying about it and talking about it's not going to change anything. I actually don't mind the rule changes anyway, because if you are in the position like this on the road then it means you are doing well in the championship!

"From what I have heard, the conditions are looking very, very nice though. We have good ice and some nice snowbanks.

"I think this could be the best driving conditions on this rally for a while."

The long-range forecast suggests that there will be no further snowfall on the rally route after Friday morning.