Taking the start and an impressive street stage to one of the world’s largest cities was an innovative first for the event and involved crews, officials and media flying from the rally base in León, 400 kilometres away, to the capital for the day. Despite early rain, Mexico City didn’t disappoint and thousands of fans were in Zócalo square and the surrounding streets to witness the WRC contenders power through the 1.57 kilometre stage, run twice.

Juho Hänninen, in the Toyota Yaris, and reigning FIA World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier, took one stage win apiece, leaving Hänninen with a 1.6 second advantage over Kris Meeke and Ott Tanak going into the first day of hot and dusty competition in the mountains around León.

After the high speed action, cars and competitors returned to León overnight, but a non-rally related delay on the motorway between the two cities held up the returning car transporters, meaning Friday morning’s two stages were cancelled. The action looks set to resume this afternoon, as scheduled.