7 Things You Need To Know Ahead Of The New WRC Season

1. A new addition

The WRC schedule has increased to 14 rounds with the addition of Rally China, which takes place in September. It is the first time in 17 years that it has appeared as a round of the series.

2. 2016 calendar

The new WRC year kicks off on the 21st January in Monaco and will conclude in Australia on the 20th November. Here’s the full schedule:

Rallye Monte-Carlo: 21-24 January
Rally Sweden: 11-14 February
Guanajuato Rally Mexico: 3-6 March
Rally Argentina: 21-24 April
Vodafone Rallye de Portugal: 19-22 May
Rally Italia Sardegna: 9-12 June
73rd LOTOS Rally Poland: 1-3 July
Neste Rally Finland: 28-31 July
ADAC Rallye Deutschland: 18-21 August
Rally China: 8-11 September
Tour de Corse – Rallye de France: 29 September-2 October
RallyRACC Catalynya – Rally de Espana: 13-16 October
Wales Rally GB: 27-20 October
Coates Hire Rally Australia: 17-20 November

3. No works Citroen outfit

Citroen Racing confirmed at the end of last year that it would not be competing in the 2016 WRC season as a manufacturer outfit, to focus on preparing a new car for 2017, when a number of new technical regulations will be introduced. But never fear, we will see several DS3 WRC machines in action at European events, run by the Abu Dhabi Total World Rally Team.

4. Driver shuffle

There have been several moves in the driver line-up for the 2015 WRC season, with another top group battling it out for the world title. VW has retained Sebastien Ogier, Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen, with Hyundai also continuing with Thierry Neuville, Dani Sordo and Hayden Paddon.

However, at M-Sport, Eric Camilli and Mads Østberg replace Ott Tänak and Elfyn Evans. Tänak will drive for the DMACK World Rally Team. Lorenzo Bertelli, Robert Kubica, Kris Meeke, Stéphane Lefebvre and Felice Re will all return for the Monte Carlo Rally, the first two driving Ford Fiesta RS cars and the final three driving Citroen DS3s.

5. Evolution before the revolution

WRC machines will be wider, more powerful and lighter in 2017 as a raft of new, exciting regulations comes into force. So, for 2016, the rules remain largely the same, meaning cars will be evolutions. But that doesn’t mean teams have been sitting back, relaxing and waiting for a new year of rally action.

No, they have been hard at work trying to get the most out of the packages they have, fine-tuning the smallest of details. This is evident with the new Hyundai i20, which completed a year-long development programme before being launched at the end of 2015.

6. World title ambitions

Everyone wants to go into a new season fighting for the world championship, but who are the most likely candidates for taking the 2016 title? Well, first of all you have to look at three-time champion Ogier. His run of success could well continue but he was pushed hard at times by Latvala and Mikkelsen, so he could well have more of a challenge on his hands this year.

Hyundai has high expectations for the new year with its next generation i20. Sordo and Neuville will be the lead contenders and showed flashes of brilliance in 2015, so expect them to be on the hunt over the 14-round 2016 season. Østberg finished fourth last year and has picked up some good momentum heading into the new campaign despite a switch to M-Sport.

7. Biggest challenge yet

Guanajuato Rally México will this year feature a brand new, 80km stage organisers believe to be the longest in WRC history for 30 years. The monster of a test will incorporate elements from Guanajuatito, Derramadero and El Brinco and take place on Sunday morning. Some believe it will take almost an hour to complete!

Are you excited for WRC in 2016? We certainly are!