The race was held over three days between 20 and 22 January 2006, and was won by Ford's Marcus Grönholm, his 19th win in the World Rally Championship.

[4] Subaru retained Petter Solberg with Stéphane Sarrazin[5] and Chris Atkinson[6] due to share the second seat depending on the surface.

There were no places for Markko Märtin who fired an angry broadside before the Monte Carlo Rally at the direction the sport was taking.

[7] Toni Gardemeister lost his place at Ford along with Roman Kresta, both not doing enough to impress Malcolm Wilson during 2005.

François Duval didn't find a seat after his erratic 2005 season, and there was still no place available for Colin McRae despite two promising performances for Skoda in 2005.