Sebastien Loeb says VW's attempts to lure him from Citroen were tempting

Loeb confirmed he would be staying with current employer Citroen - with whom he has won all seven of his world titles - for two further years last week.

The 37-year-old Frenchman said however that his decision has been made difficult following a meeting with Volkswagen's motorsport director Kris Nissen and the firm's advisor and double world champion Carlos Sainz to talk through a potential switch.

"When I spoke to Kris and Carlos, they were motivated," said Loeb. "They pushed hard and did a good job to try and get me.

"Then the decision was between the two manufacturers: Citroen and Volkswagen. The challenge to go to Volkswagen was also exciting, they were pushing quite hard that I come to join them.

"It was something new, a new challenge. It would have been a quiet year next year - I was quite interested."

In the end, Loeb remained at Citroen following the intervention of PSA Peugeot Citroen member of the management board Jean-Marc Gales.

Loeb added: "If you take everything in my mind for one year of competition [with VW], I would break the relationship with Citroen that I have been building for 10 years.

"Our image is really linked, Citroen and me. If it had been for more than one year, maybe it's something I could consider more - but for one year it's not the right choice to do."