Bell brought on board at Bentley

Bentley is gunning for victory in this year's Le Mans after an absence of more than 70 years from the La Sarthe race. Bell has been brought on board to help the Apex Motorsport-run team prepare for the event and will lend tactical advice during the race itself.

"In the last 30 years I have worked with so many car companies, but have had hardly any involvement with British Manufacturers," said Bell. "Now I find myself not only working for Bentley, but also helping out with their return to Le Mans. Even though I will not be driving, I cannot think of a happier way for me to go back to Le Mans. It is truly a job description from heaven."

Bell will help to develop the EXP Speed 8, which showed surprising pace during testing at the Most circuit in the Czech Republic last week. Although no official times were released, the all-conquering Audi team was also at the test and was impressed by the pace of the British car, which ran in full Le Mans trim.

"I expected it to struggle, but the Bentley looked good and didn't have any big problems," said Frank Biela, who was the only Audi driver at the test. "It was slower than us, but if it was running Le Mans aerodynamics, it was doing good times."

The test was the first time behind the wheel of the Bentley for Butch Leitzinger and Andy Wallace, who will partner James Weaver. Guy Smith, who also had his maiden outing in the Speed 8, will line up alongside erstwhile Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle and former Le Mans winner Stephane Ortelli in the second car.

Bell has raced at Le Mans an impressive 26 times and will help not only with the development of the race machine, but also with the testing and evaluation of the prestigious marque's road-going cars.