Citroen keeps World Rally Championship door open for Sebastien Loeb

Despite speculation that the nine-time world champion could tackle as many as four WRC rounds this season, the party line from the French firm remains that Loeb's Monte Carlo Rally appearance was a one-off.

Loeb led the event until SS7, then ended up finishing eighth after damaging his suspension.

Citroen team principal Yves Matton said Loeb's focus would remain on the World Touring Car Championship this season, despite intense speculation over further rally outings.

"It's something that's a big question from everybody," said Matton, "but this is not something we have talked about.

"The target this year [for Loeb] is to try to be champion in the World Touring Car Championship.

"This is a big challenge for Seb. He does great things: he won in rallying, he won Pikes Peak and now he wants to be able to prove that he is able to do something different also.

"It is not my plan for the moment [for Loeb to do more WRC rounds]. My plan is to try to do something in touring cars with him.

"But he knows where my office is and he can always ask me..."

Loeb said there was a strong chance that Monte Carlo was his last WRC rally.

"I'm a racing driver now," he said.

"It was the winter time, not in the middle of my racing season.

"This fitted for me to come and do Monte Carlo - I like the rally and the atmosphere and everything. But there is no talk for me to come back and do more.

"Nobody knows - and I don't say that it's my final rally, but in the world championship I don't think I will come back.

"There's no plan and nobody is talking about it. I will never say never, but, for now, it's a no."