Latvala sets qualifying pace

The result means the Ford driver will be able to start Friday's stages of Rally Sweden in any position he wants to make best use of the conditions.

The running order on the snow-covered stages is critical for the drivers; if there is lose snow on the surface, then running first is a disadvantage, however if the conditions are predominantly icy then running first becomes an advantage.

The qualifying stage took place over 3.99km near the Hagfors service in temperatures of minus 14c.

Latvala, who won the 2008 Rally Sweden, told WRC's official website: "I had no problem in the stage at all.

"Maybe on one corner I was a little bit slower after I saw some rocks and went around them, but otherwise it was the perfect time for me.

"I am happy with the time I set and the position I am in, but certainly there is a lot to be thinking about before we decide what place we take. We have to think about the weather and a few other factors: it's not so straightforward."

His former team-mate and now works Citroen driver Mikko Hirvonen was second, just ahead of M-Sports Ott Tanak, who is contesting just his third world championship event in a WRC car.

"The stage was pretty good, to be only five thousandths of a second behind Mikko was a good result for me," said Tanak.

The cars started the snow covered test in order of the current championship standings, which had a detrimental effect on Sebastien Loeb's chances. The Citroen driver was only sixth fastest.

QUALIFYING TIMES:

1. J. Latvala (FIN) Ford Focus RS WRC1:53.5s
2. M. Hirvonen Citroen (FIN) DS3 WRC+0.5s.
3. O. Tanak (EST) Ford Focus RS WRC +0.5s
4. E. Novikov (RUS) Ford Focus RS WRC +0.6s
5. P. Solberg (NOR) Ford Focus RS WRC +0.8s
6. S. Loeb (FRA) Citroen DS3 WRC +1.2s
7. M. Ostberg (NOR)Ford Focus RS WRC +1.3s
8. P. Sandell (SWE) Mini JCW WRC +2.8s
9. E. Brynildsen (NOR) Ford Focus RS WRC +2.2s
10. M. Prokop (CZH) Ford Focus RS WRC+3.2s