The calendar for the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship season has been announced ahead of the final race of the current campaign next week.
Sebastien Ogier will go in search of a fourth consecutive WRC title in 2016, beginning his title defence at the traditional season-opener in Monte Carlo.
The Rallye de Monte Carlo is the first of 14 rounds planned for 2016, expanding from 13 in 2015 after the addition of Rally China. The event in Huairou, 70km from Beijing, returns to the calendar for the first time since 1999.
The other major change for 2016 is Rally Australia’s move to the final round of the season, taking the place of Rally GB which is now the penultimate event.
2016 FIA World Rally Championship calendar
1. Monte-Carlo 22-24 January
2. Sweden 12-14 February
3. Mexico 4-6 March
4. Argentina 22-24 April
5. Portugal 20-22 May
6. Italy 10-12 June
7. Poland 1-3 July
8. Finland 29-31 July
9. Germany 19-21 August
10. China 9-11 September
11. France 30 September - 2 October
12. Spain 14-16 October
13. Great Britain 28-30 October
14. Australia 18-20 November