Herbert for Audi ALMS races

The former F1 star has been confirmed to drive the Champion Racing Audi at Sears and Atlanta, but hopes to be in the driving seat for the rest of the year too. Herbert, who drove the car in the Le Mans 24 Hours, will team up with fellow Englishman Andy Wallace.

"I want to contest the remainder of the series with the Champion Audi team," said Herbert. "At the moment I'm confirmed for the Sears race and at Atlanta in October. I've only ever raced at Phoenix and Indianapolis in the States so all of the circuits will be knew to me.

"I don't foresee that as a problem - I'm a quick learner and Audi knows all of the tracks from last year and they have a proven track record having won both the ALMS Manufacturers' and Drivers' titles last season with the R8. I've never driven with Andy but his credentials in sportscar racing are exemplary. I'm certain we'll get on well together and should form a formidable partnership."

After the disappointment of retiring at Le Mans, Herbert is excited about the rest of the season.

"It was a shame we ended so early at Le Mans," he added. "We had a few little problems at the beginning, but I was able to get the car back to third in treacherous conditions. Unfortunately we had the clutch problem - without that we had a podium car for sure. So there is some unfinished business for me and the whole Champion team."

Champion Racing, owned by Florida Audi and Porsche dealer Dave Maraj, was the first private racing team to receive one of the dominating Audi R8 prototypes for use in competition.

Though now retired from F1 competition, Herbert is a test and development driver for the Arrows team and plans to compete in CART events too.

Champion Racing Vice-President Don Skuta said: "We are hoping to come back and run the rest of the ALMS season competitively. We are excited to have Johnny driving with us. Teamed with Andy Wallace it gives us a kind of British threat. We are looking to be competitive with the factory team, we are striving for the podium and hope to even sneak a win or two. I think we have drivers who are on par with those of the factory."

Herbert has never competed in an American Le Mans Series race. He took two F1 wins for the Benetton team in 1995, then scored his third victory for the Stewart team in '99. He also won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991 for Mazda.