Competitors criticise format

Competitors have warned that a change to the new, more compact five-day schedule could cause reconnaissance runs and route notes to be rushed, which could be dangerous.

Under the new format, reconnaissance has moved from Tuesday and Wednesday to Wednesday and Thursday. Thursday will also include scrutineering and the ceremonial start of the event, which competitors argue is too much to cram in.

Michael Park, co-driver for Ford's Markko Martin, said: "The recce might look quite compact, but it's going to be go, go, go all the time to make sure that we get everything done in such a short space of time.

"With everything that's happening on Thursday, it's possible there could be chaos by the time we get to the ceremonial start."

Park's thoughts were echoed by Marcus Gronholm's Peugeot co-driver Timo Rautianen. He said: "The working day on the recce will be too long and the fact that we will still be on the move after sunset is a concern. Taking notes too hastily could prove dangerous."

Martin also voiced his concerns, while Gronholm said: "It is too much before the start of the event. We will have a lot to do on Thursday afternoon."

An FIA spokesman dismissed the competitors' comments, saying: "This is the regulation, Mexico is the place where it is going to be implemented and that is the end of that."