News of Loeb’s test immediately triggered speculation of a WRC return.
Citroen team principal Yves Matton insisted this was not possible during the current season, with Andreas Mikkelsen, Kris Meeke, Craig Breen, Stephane Lefebvre and Khalid Al Qassimiall in the team’s driver pool already.
“In 2017 I have no chance to let him drive a car because I don’t have a car,” Matton told Autosport.
“There are none available, so there is no way to drive this year.
“And, on top of that, I don’t think it’s a good idea in the short-term to let him drive an event.
“We know the level in the WRC for the moment is quite high and that, with this kind of car, you need a quite high number of miles to be at your level.
“If, one day, something like that could happen then it needs to be well prepared.”
Matton said he was “quite far away” from a decision about 2018 drivers and currently had “no idea” but left the door open for Loeb.
“I will not tell you no, because it’s not no, but I will not say yes, because it’s not yes,” he said of the chances of a Loeb 2018 deal.
“I can understand the attraction to bring this guy back, but like I said, if that’s done then it has to be done properly.”
Loeb retired from full-time WRC competition as world champion in 2012 and is currently part of Peugeot’s World Rallycross and cross-country rally programmes.
The 43-year-old said he “can’t wait to get back into a World Rally Car and test how the technology has changed in that discipline.
“I’m still passionate about rallying. Of all the disciplines I’ve tried since I retired five years ago, it’s the sensation of rallying that I love most.”
Source: Eurosport