Herbert confirms Silverstone debut

The 45-year-old three-time grand prix winner will replace team leader James Thompson, who is already committed to the WTCC and Australian V8 Supercars, at the Silverstone, Rockingham and Brands Hatch GP rounds.

Herbert, who also won the 1991 Le Mans 24 Hours with Mazda, tested a for the team at Rockingham last month but says he needs more time behind the wheel to get up to speed for his debut.

"It will be a challenge, I have no doubt about that," Herbert said. "Guys like Fabrizio Giovanardi and Jason Plato just have so much experience in touring cars, but I'm very much looking forward to it.

"I haven't raced a front-wheel drive car since I did a round of the Spanish SEAT Cup about seven years ago, and the Rockingham test, which was only an afternoon really and didn't give me too much opportunity to really get down to business, so hopefully with a bit more track time I can be competitive."

Herbert will spend this weekend's Knockhill BTCC round with the team, although he will not drive.