What Is 2016 FIA World Rally Championship

Overview

The 2016 FIA World Rally Championship marked the 44th season of the premier international rally series, featuring high-speed competition across diverse terrains including gravel, tarmac, and snow. The season spanned from January to November, showcasing 13 rallies in locations across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania.

Defending champions Volkswagen Motorsport and driver Sébastien Ogier entered the season as favorites, aiming to extend their dominance. The championship featured World Rally Cars built to 2017 technical regulations, with tighter bodywork and increased downforce, setting the stage for closer competition.

• Rallye Monte Carlo, held from January 22–24, opened the season and was won by Sébastien Ogier, marking his fourth victory at the event.
• The 2016 Rally Sweden, held February 11–14, saw Ogier secure another win, becoming the first non-Scandinavian to win the rally twice in a row.
• France’s Tour de Corse returned to the calendar from March 31 to April 3 after a 14-year absence, with Ogier claiming victory on the tarmac stages.
• The Rally d'Italia Sardegna in June featured challenging gravel roads, where Andreas Mikkelsen secured his first WRC win.
• Rally Australia, the season finale from November 10–13, was won by Ogier, who clinched the drivers' title with a round to spare.

How It Works

The FIA World Rally Championship operates on a points-based system across a series of rallies, each consisting of multiple timed stages. Teams and drivers accumulate points based on finishing positions, with consistency and reliability key to championship success.

• World Rally Car Regulations: In 2016, WRC cars were built to updated technical specs, including 1.6L turbocharged engines producing around 380 horsepower and improved aerodynamics.
• Points System: Drivers earned points from 1st (25 pts) to 10th (1 pt), with bonus points awarded for the Power Stage, where the top five fastest drivers earned extra points.
• Championship Categories: The WRC includes three main titles: Drivers', Co-Drivers', and Manufacturers', each awarded based on cumulative season performance.
• Event Structure: Each rally spans three days, with competitors completing between 15 and 25 special stages, totaling over 300 km of competitive driving.
• Surface Types: The 2016 calendar included gravel, tarmac, and snow events, testing driver adaptability and team setup strategies.
• Team Strategy: Volkswagen used data-sharing between its three cars, allowing Ogier, Latvala, and Mikkelsen to optimize pace notes and tire choices.

Comparison at a Glance

The following table compares key 2016 WRC standings and performance metrics:

Volkswagen dominated the manufacturers' standings, winning eight of the 13 rallies. M-Sport Ford, using the Fiesta WRC, finished second but showed strong improvement over previous seasons. Ogier’s consistency—finishing on the podium in 11 of 13 events—was a key factor in his title win.

Why It Matters

The 2016 WRC season was significant for cementing Sébastien Ogier’s legacy and marking the peak of Volkswagen’s rally dominance before their unexpected exit from the sport in 2017. It also highlighted the increasing competitiveness of privateer teams like M-Sport and Hyundai.

• Ogier became one of only five drivers in history to win four consecutive WRC titles, joining legends like Vettel and Loeb.
• Volkswagen’s decision to withdraw from WRC in November 2016 shocked the rally world, opening opportunities for other manufacturers.
• The return of Tour de Corse revitalized interest in tarmac rallies, influencing future calendar decisions.
• Andreas Mikkelsen’s first win in Sardinia demonstrated depth within the Volkswagen team beyond Ogier.
• The Power Stage format increased excitement, with bonus points influencing final standings in tight races.
• The 2016 season laid groundwork for 2017’s rule changes, which introduced more aggressive, rally-inspired cars.

Ultimately, the 2016 FIA World Rally Championship served as both a climax to Volkswagen’s era and a turning point for the sport’s future competitiveness.