The German carmaker had confirmed earlier this year that they plan to make a WRC return in 2012, with budget figures linked to the move being gigantic. Under the circumstances, there would be plenty of money to lure the 7-time world champion into joining the newly-formed team and forget all about retirement, as the media speculates the offer VW is making Loeb is around EUR15 million per season, according to a report from Autosport.
And as soon as those rumored started to make the headlines, the Frenchman made it very clear that he didn't discuss any offer with VW, as he hardly knows his plans and whether he'll continue in the WRC next season.
“I have not spoken to VW about next year. I don't know if I will be driving next year,” he said, according to the aforementioned source.
Additinally, Citroen motorsport director Olivier Quesnel has made it very clear that should Loeb, whose contract expires at the end of this year, decide to remain in the WRC for one more season, the French manufacturer would provide him with the first choice for that. Since 2011, when he joined Citroen, Loeb has taken 7 world titles and 63 wins in the series, becoming the winningest rally driver in the history of the sport.
“I don't think he knows what he will be doing next year. It's too early for himself to decide. He knows, of course, he can stay with Citroen. Maybe he will stop, maybe he will go to endurance racing and maybe, why not, he will go to Volkswagen, but honestly, I don't know,” said Quesnel.
“I can't tell you anything about that, but you can be sure that he doesn't know himself. But, of course, he is always welcome with Citroen.”
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