WRC finalises 2016 calendar as China gets slot

The World Rally Championship has finalised its 2016 calendar, with Rally China returning as part of an expanded 14-event schedule.

Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, Volkswagen Polo WRC, Volkswagen Motorsport

Daniel Sordo and Marc Marti, Hyundai i20 WRC, Hyundai Motorsport

Mads Ostberg and Jonas Andersson, Citroën DS3 WRC, Citroën World Rally Team

Ott Tanak and Molder Raigo, M-Sport Ford Fiesta WRC

China has made a sole previous appearance on the WRC calendar in 1999, and has run since as a round of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship.

A major push by the FIA, however, has resulted in a reprieve for the tarmac-based event, despite opposition among teams about expanding the calendar to 14 rallies, the largest schedule since 2008.

Nonetheless, China, which has been handed an early September slot, remains subject to final FIA confirmation, while the Monte Carlo and Corsican rounds also remain subject to contracts being finalised.

Monte Carlo will take up its traditional curtain-raising role on 22-24 January, while Rally Australia replaces Rally GB as the season finale, taking place on 18-20 November.

2016 WRC calendar:

Rally	Date
Monte Carlo	22 - 24 January
Sweden	12 - 14 February
Mexico	4 - 6 March
Argentina	22 - 24 April
Portugal	20 - 22 May
Italy	10 - 12 June
Poland	1 - 3 July
Finland	29 - 31 July
Germany	19 - 21 August
China	9 - 11 September
France (Corsica)	30 September - 2 October
Spain	14 - 16 October
Great Britain	28 - 30 October
Australia	18 - 20 November