Remainder of WRC Tour of Corsica day one itinerary in doubt

Flooding and landslides have affected the route to stages two and three, with SS2 already cancelled.

At present, SS3 is scheduled to begin at 2.47pm local time but the damage to the roads means this is in doubt.

AUTOSPORT understands rally organisers are working on either a re-routing to get to the SS3 start, or a shortened version of the stage, which was planned at 22 miles.

Another option, which the teams have been told is the organisers' preference, is to run SS3 around three-quarters of an hour later than originally scheduled.

Although rain remains heavy in the service park in Corte, weather conditions have improved around the stages.

The situation is further complicated by the fact the two stages are due to be re-run as the opening loop of Saturday's leg.

Robert Kubica and Sebastien Ogier currently share the rally lead after the only stage that has taken place so far.

Kubica said he sympathised with the officials' predicament.

"It's a very difficult position for the organisers," he said.

"I've heard they can't get marshals into stage three, so what do you do if you need to send the ambulance or safety crew to it? It's impossible."

The French WRC round has returned to Corsica this year after the previous Alsace-based event fell through.

The itinerary of only nine, mostly long, stages was a compromise agreed after an initial proposal proved more controversial still.

Elfyn Evans, who runs sixth at present, said Friday's problems showed the limitations of a schedule featuring a limited number of stages pr day.

"These events are planned nine months ahead, it's not like they put this route together three days ago," he said.

"You have to feel for them, but this was always a risk when they run [only] three stages a day."