FIA confirms details of the 2016 WTCC calendar

The FIA World Motor Sport Council has finalised the 2016 World Touring Car Championship calendar, the 12th season of the modern day running of the championship, featuring the same array of countries as 2015 but with one possible change of circuit.

The season opening date is listed as 20th March, but with no confirmation of the event, but as series manager Francois Ribeiro confirmed at the season finale last weekend in Qatar, the event which is set to open the season is a new race at the Sochi Autodrom in Russia, but this is still subject to contract.

Morocco and Argentina are moved later into the calendar, with the Moroccan round taking place on May 8th and Argentina moved back to the South American winter in early August.

The FIA also ratified the new Manufacturers Against the Clock (MAC3) concept, with three cars of each manufacturers’ title registered make taking part in a time trial after qualifying for additional points towards the title.

The switch of the partial reverse grid from race two to race one was also confirmed.

2016 World Touring Car Championship calendar

Date – Event
20th March – TBD
3rd April – Paul Ricard, France
17th April – Slovakiaring, Slovakia
24th April – Hungaroring, Hungary
8th May – Marrakech, Morocco
29th May – Nürburgring, Germany
12th June – Vila Real, Portugal
7th August – Termas de Río Hondo, Argentina
4th September – Motegi, Japan
25th September – Shanghai, China
6th November – Buriram, Thailand
25th November – Losail, Qatar