Third factory Audi for La Sarthe

The move, exclusively predicted by AUTOSPORT magazine (February 14 issue), will return the Ingolstadt marque's entry up to three cars, matching their triple-pronged attack which swept to a one-two-three finish in the 2000 event.

Last year the Audi Sport Team Joest ran just two machines as they sewed up their second straight victory, because new Le Mans rules dictated that teams may only enter a maximum two cars.

Audi will circumvent that rule in this year's race by entering the third prototype under the Audi Sport North America banner, the name which the Joest-run prototypes use when contesting the American Le Mans Series.

The line-up for the additional entry is expected to be made up of three German-speaking drivers, although no names have yet been announced. The three cars will again run in silver colours, with a return to the 2000 format of each car having either yellow, red or black roll hoops and rear wings to represent the flag of Germany.

The three factory Audis will be joined at Le Mans by the Japanese Team Goh privateer entry, which has backing from Audi Japan. It remains to be seen if Stefan Johansson concludes a deal to return his Gulf-backed car to the grid to make it five R8s for Le Mans.

Audi's 2002-spec R8 has just begun testing in preparation for its debut at the Sebring 12 Hours next weekend. Audi Sport boss Dr Wolfgang Ullrich said: "We'll only see at Sebring exactly where how well the cars work and where they stand compared to our competitors."