Herbert: I will race in the Indy 500

Speaking at AUTOSPORT International in Birmingham, the three-time GP winner, who tested an Indy Racing League car impressively at Kentucky and Indianapolis last year, says he will be on the grid at the Brickyard.

"I will definitely be racing in the 500, come what may and anyway I can," he said. "My aim is to try and win both the Indy 500 and the Le Mans 24 Hours in the same year, which hasn't been done since AJ Foyt in 1967."

The Essex ace believes the challenge of the Indy 500 could be more demanding than Formula 1.

"The concentration required for driving on an oval is, in some respects, more demanding because the races are longer and the speeds are so much higher," he said. "It's made more difficult because you are passing a lot of cars consistently through the race. From my experience in testing, I've no worries about the proximity of the walls, but I haven't hit one yet. Maybe then I'll change my mind!"

Herbert's plans for 2002 remain fluid at present, although he is confident his deals in the IRL, Le Mans and ALMS will fall into place in due course: "I've got some nice options lined up, it's just a case of slotting them all together," he added.