Herbert confirmed for works Audi

The Englishman returned to the enduro classic last year with the Champion privateer Audi team, but will now step up to the factory squad to join forces with Italian drivers Rinaldo Capello and Christian Pescatori. The German manufacturer is bidding to win the race for a third successive year.

"I'm delighted Audi has given me another realistic opportunity to win what is arguably the world's toughest and most famous motor race," said Herbert, who won Le Mans for Mazda in 1991. "The Audi R8 finished 1-2-3 at Le Mans in 2000 and its two-car entry netted a 1-2 last year so the Audi is without doubt the car to be driving in such a gruelling marathon.

"The Audi R8 is simply a wonderful car," he added. "You can drive it on the limit from the first to the last lap which is exactly what is required at Le Mans nowadays."

Herbert, who also boasts three victories in a distinguished Formula 1 career, makes his début for the two-car factory Audi squad in the Sebring 12 Hours on 16 March, the opening round of this year's American Le Mans Series.

He replaces Laurent Aiello, who won the event in 1998 with Porsche and has been an ever-present in Audi's Le Mans line up since '99. Aiello will instead concentrate solely on the German DTM series with the Abt Sportsline Audi team.

The Le Mans 24 Hours takes place on 15-16 June.