Smith secures Audi UK drive

As well as Le Mans, Smith will drive for the team in the Sebring 12 Hours and the full Le Mans Endurance Series, which will run for the first time this season.

"Winning Le Mans was fantastic," said Smith at AUTOSPORT International, where was joined on-stage by Audi Sport UK boss David Ingram. "To finally do it after three years with Bentley was a great relief, but that was last year. It's 2004 now, and I've got to do it again.

"With Audi Sport UK I think I've given myself the best possible chance to go back and win it for a second time. Audi's record at Le Mans is just fantastic, so I hope we can add to that this year."

Audi Sport UK will expand to two cars this season, and has already confirmed Jamie Davies, Pierre Kaffer and Frank Biela for its Le Mans programme.

"We thought if we're going to do it, let's do it properly, get another car and go for the double," said Ingram. "The remaining two drivers are almost certainly going to be British, which will mean we're going to run four British drivers in the team."

Smith will team with Davies for the inaugural LMES, although he might need to settle a few scores before they do so.

"For the past three years I've only raced at Le Mans and Sebring so to get stuck into a full season in the LMES was just what I wanted.

"Myself and Jamie go way back - we've been driving against each other in Karts since we were about 12 or 13 years old, and then progressed together in Formula Vauxhall and then Formula 3. We're good pals and looking forward to sharing an Audi together."