Herbert joins Arrows.

OrangeArrows has announced that Johnny Herbert has joined its line-up as test and development driver for 2001.

Herbert, who revealed his Formula One retirement during a difficult 2000 season with Jaguar, will provide the team with his extensive experience during its ongoing programme of development in order to build on the progress Arrows made last year.

"It's great to have Johnny on board," commented Arrows team boss Tom Walkinshaw, "We have good continuity with Jos [Verstappen], fresh talent with Enrique [Bernoldi] and, with the experience of Johnny, we have a complete driver line-up."

Herbert too is delighted to be joining the team.

"I see OrangeArrows as a team of people who are very serious about their racing performance, but also like to enjoy life, and that suits my philosophy down to the ground," he said, "This is a new challenge for me, I know I can make a valid contribution and I am very much looking forward to getting down to business."

Triple grand prix winner Herbert's career began in karting at a young age. After becoming British Kart Champion in 1982, he progressed through the ranks, winning both the prestigious FFord Festival and 1987 British Formula Three Championship before a serious accident in an F3000 race at Brands Hatch threatened to end his career. With great determination, Herbert fought back and just four months later began what was to become a twelve year F1 career. Wins at Silverstone and Monza with Benetton and the Nurburgring with Stewart followed before Herbert appeared to call time on his time as an F1 driver last year.

Herbert will have his first full test for OrangeArrows at Silverstone on 7-9 March, while the team will reveal its 2001 racing colours in Melbourne on Thursday 1 March, prior to the Australian Grand Prix.

The 1991 Le Mans 24 Hours winner has also be mentioned in connection with a return to La Sarthe with Bentley, and is rumoured to be lining up an Indy 500 assault later this year.