Herbert says he'll fight to the end

The Brit this week finally confirmed a well-known fact - that at the end of the season he will bring the curtain down on a decade in Formula 1 by switching to Champ Cars.

Because he is leaving, he says, he is even more determined to go out on a high.

"The fact I am going has made me more motivated than ever," he said ahead of Sunday's German Grand Prix. "I will try my hardest in the last seven races as I always do. If I can get some points then it will help the team in the constructors' championship for next season.

"I have loved my time in Formula 1 but I know I am not going to win the world championship now. It is sad that it is all over, but everything ends sometime."

Herbert, who has competed in 154 races since making his debut in 1989, was in Michigan talking to Champ Car teams and while he said his future would be ironed out in the next month, he is already thought to know his destination for 2001.

"I have also always wanted to do the Indianapolis 500 so hopefully that can be arranged as well," he added.

Jaguar team-mate Eddie Irvine praised Herbert for crossing the Atlantic with the additional risks of the concrete walls that circle the oval tracks.

"He is a brave old boy going to Champ Cars," said Irvine. "He is short enough already."

Irvine said it was not a path he would ever take: "Formula 1 for me is the pinnacle. When I leave F1 the only thing you'll see of me is the smoke from the two funnels on my boat!"