WRC Rally Sweden stage cancelled due to high speeds

After analysing the first run through the Kron stage on Saturday morning, the FIA advised organisers to cancel the second running.

The statement read: "Due to safety reasons after analysing the average speeds on special stage 9 and on recommendations from the FIA, special stage 12 is cancelled."

M-Sport's Ott Tanak was the fastest driver through the stage, at an average speed of 85.65mph, almost 7mph faster than any car has ever completed a WRC stage before.

This is the first time since the 2017 rules were introduced that a stage has been cancelled on safety grounds based on speeds.

The new WRC cars have more horsepower, better aerodynamics and centre differentials, making them the quickest over a competitive stage in the championship's history.

However, Stephane Lefebvre - driving a 2016 DS 3 WRC - still broke Citroen team-mate Kris Meeke's 78.68mph record average set in Finland last year by 1.66mph.

The first stage of Saturday afternoon's action on Rally Sweden will be the second running of Hagfors at 1317hrs GMT, which can be followed on Autosport Race Centre Live.

Hyundai's Thierry Neuville leads Toyota driver Jari-Matti Latvala by 32.8 seconds.