January 24, 2016 – Volkswagen’s triple world champion Sebastien Ogier kicked off his title defense campaign in style, snatching victory in the opening round of the season in Monte Carlo.
The Frenchman entered the fourth and final day 2 minutes clear of his closest pursuer, teammate Andreas Mikkelsen, and won the opening stage (SS14), whilst Mikkelsen went quickest in the next one (SS15). In the end, Ogier won the power stage (SS16) and crossed the finish line 1 minute 54 seconds ahead of his teammate.
Thierry Neuville gave the new Hyundai i20 WRC its first podium in its first rally after finishing third overall, ahead of M-Sport Ford’s Mads Ostberg and Abu Dhabi Racing’s Stephane Lefebvre respectively.
Jari-Matti Latvala, who retired from the event yesterday, was given a suspended one-round ban as Rally Monte Carlo stewards put him at fault for not checking on the spectator he hit in Saturday’s Stage 11.
Overall standings after SS16:
| POS | # | DRIVER | TIME | DIFF PREV | DIFF 1ST |
| 1. | 1 | S. OGIER | 3:49:53.1 | ||
| 2. | 9 | A. MIKKELSEN | 3:51:47.6 | +1:54.5 | +1:54.5 |
| 3. | 3 | T. NEUVILLE | 3:53:11.0 | +1:23.4 | +3:17.9 |
| 4. | 5 | M. OSTBERG | 3:54:40.8 | +1:29.8 | +4:47.7 |
| 5. | 8 | S. LEFEBVRE | 3:57:28.7 | +2:47.9 | +7:35.6 |
| 6. | 4 | D. SORDO | 4:00:28.6 | +2:59.9 | +10:35.5 |
| 7. | 12 | O. TANAK | 4:01:33.0 | +1:04.4 | +11:39.9 |
| 8. | 35 | E. EVANS | 4:08:23.9 | +6:50.9 | +18:30.8 |
| 9. | 48 | E. LAPPI | 4:10:34.1 | +2:10.2 | +20:41.0 |
| 10. | 32 | A. KREMER | 4:10:37.0 | +2.9 | +20:43.9 |
