Herbert to skip opening day of Indy 500

Herbert has been drafted into the factory Audi squad after a sensational wet weather performance at Le Mans last year in a privately-run Audi R8. He will miss the opening day of Indy practice to return to Le Mans, although he has at least four days to play catch-up before Indianapolis Pole Day on May 11.

"The Le Mans circuit is made up of public roads and is only closed off on this one occasion before the race, so it's vital we get a lot of work done on Sunday," said Herbert. "We'll fine-tune the cars so that when we arrive back at Le Mans in June for the race itself, we have the best possible set-up."

Herbert will partner Rinaldo Capello and fellow Italian Christian Pescatori in their Audi R8 at Le Mans, but before the 24-hour sportscar classic in June he will run the Indy 500 on May 26 in a Duesenberg Brothers Racing Dallara-Chevrolet.

"I won Le Mans in 1991 and the Audi R8 gives me a great opportunity of a second career win in what remains one of the world's great motor races," added Herbert. "I won the Sebring 12 Hour race two months ago which gives us a lot of confidence."