Herbert lands Le Mans Audi drive

The 36-year-old Englishman, who drew a line under his Formula 1 career at the end of last year, will replace ALMS regular Dorsey Schroeder in the Champion Motorsports team, lining up alongside Ralf Kelleners and Didier Theys.

"Le Mans is a tremendous and unique challenge in motor racing but, unlike when I raced there 10 years ago, the days of scoring a shock victory in an unfancied car have gone," said Herbert. "You must be driving the right car and that's why I've chosen to race an Audi. I've a very realistic chance of winning after what Audi achieved at Le Mans last June and what Allan McNish went on to do in the American Le Mans Series last year.

"I've spoken to Emanuele [Pirro] about the Audi so I know what to expect - it sounds like an awesome machine and I can't wait to drive it."

Herbert is the second addition to the Champion squad from the Formula 1 world: three-time GP winner Thierry Boutsen has been brought in in a non-driving role to mastermind the team's assault on the La Sarthe race.

"We wanted to add more Le Mans experience to our driver line-up," said Champion team boss Dave Maraj. "Johnny was available and his addition to the team will give us a very strong driver roster for the legendary race."

"We will be doing everything we can to win the race," Boutsen told Autosport magazine. "We don't have the experience of [Audi's works squad] Joest, but we are very motivated. That includes me. I never won Le Mans as a driver, so hopefully I can win it from the other side of the pit wall."

Herbert won Le Mans in 1991 with Mazda and made no secret of his desire to return to the race once a full time drive in the US-based Champ Car series was out of the question.

Currently, his only other driver commitments for 2001 include a test and development deal with the Arrows Formula 1 team and a run with the Sigma CART team in May.