McNish, Herbert complete Veloqx Audi line-up.

As has been rumoured for some time, ex-F1 drivers Allan McNish and Johnny Herbert, will link up with Audi's renewed attack on the Le Mans 24 Hours and new Le Mans Endurance Series.

The two grand prix veterans, plus former Veloqx Ferrari driver Darren Turner, have been recruited by Audi UK and Sam Li's team to complete what is now being billed as the 'Magnificent Seven' as the marque chases sportscar honours in 2004.

McNish and Herbert join fellow Le Mans race winners Guy Smith and Frank Biela in the two-car Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx squad, alongside Turner and the already confirmed Jamie Davies and Pierre Kaffer. The squad, which has yet to be allocated its exact line-up, will be hunting success in the Sebring 12 Hours, Le Mans 24 Hours and inaugural four-race Le Mans Endurance Series. Audi will be bidding to score its fourth victory in five years at Le Mans, having been pipped by Bentley in 2003.

McNish has concentrated on Formula One for the past three years, testing for Toyota in 2000 and then contesting the FIA Formula One World Championship the following year for the Japanese team. Last year, the Monaco-based Scotsman was Renault's official F1 test driver, before finding himself usurped by Frenchman Franck Montagny. He had been linked to a possible ride with Jordan in 2004, but that is now fading as both Giorgio Pantano and Timo Glock appear certain to land roles with the team.

McNish is no stranger to sportscar racing, having won Le Mans in 1998 and the American Le Mans Series with Audi in 2000, and achieved second places in the French race and at Sebring.

"I had a very successful and happy time when I was with Audi previously, while Le Mans is a very special race and dear to my heart," the Scot said, "The Audi R8 has been further developed since I raced one and is an outstanding sportscar. But Le Mans glory, in either the 24 Hours race or the new series, will not be easy - we'll need to fight hard for victories."

Herbert and triple Le Mans race winner Biela will only compete at this year's June marathon and Sebring, giving Herbert the chance to add to his 1991 Le Mans victory. The three-time grands prix winner is already familiar with the Audi, having spent the three years since his F1 retirement competing with the marque in America.

"I've finished second at Le Mans for the past two years - including 2002 with the 'factory' Audi team - and have regularly raced an Audi in America since 2001 for its American 'customer' team, scoring four wins last year," he confirmed, "We'll be up against two similar Audis at Le Mans, run by American and Japanese teams, so it will be tough. However, I have every confidence in Veloqx and am looking forward to the challenge."

Turner, like Davies, drove with Veloqx at Sebring and Le Mans last year, as well as contesting the FIA GT Championship with Team Maranello Concessionaires. The occasional McLaren test driver will compete in the Le Mans Endurance Series and will be Audi UK Team Veloqx's reserve driver for Sebring and Le Mans.

"I'm delighted to be continuing my relationship with Veloqx and overjoyed I'll be driving an Audi," he admitted, "To be racing an R8 in the LMES is a tremendous opportunity for me."

Turner joins McNish, 2003 Le Mans winner Smith, Davies - GTS class winner at Le Mans last year - and sportscar 'rookie' Kaffer in the Le Mans Endurance Series.

"It's great to have Allan back in an Audi R8 - the first time since winning the 2000 ALMS title," David Ingram, Audi UK's motorsport manager, confirmed, "He has always been a popular member of the Audi squad and his ability in the car will add considerable strength to our team.

"Johnny has been a regular part of Audi's sportscar activities in recent years and, when we had the opportunity to put together an Audi Sport UK programme, he was an obvious candidate.

"Furthermore, Darren brings added ability and experience to the team for the LMES and I am very excited about our prospects."

All seven drivers will test at Road Atlanta later this month in preparation for the Sebring race, which forms the opening round of the American Le Mans Series.

"The appointment of Allan, Johnny and Darren completes our star line-up for the season," team principal Sam Li added, "Having seven drivers on board reinforces our commitment to the programme and demonstrates our intention to minimise any risk. Even if sickness or other unforeseen circumstances arise, we will maintain our ability to compete at the highest level. We will make a decision on the Sebring driver combinations for each car after the Atlanta test."

The Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx line-up adds its two R8 prototypes to those already entered by American team ADT Champion Racing and Team Goh from Japan, each of which fields a single car.

Herbert's former F1 rival and ALMS team-mate JJ Lehto - Le Mans winner in 1995 - triple 24 Hours winner Emanuele Pirro and reigning ALMS king Marco Werner will drive for Champion, while rising Japanese star Seiji Ara, 2003 Le Mans winner Rinaldo Capello and five-time winner Tom Kristensen line up for Goh.

Goh - with Ara and Capello - and Veloqx will both contest the new Europe-based Le Mans Endurance Series, while Lehto and Werner attempt to defend the latter's ALMS crown with Champion.

"It speaks volumes for the Audi R8 that our customer teams can start with such high-calibre driver squads," explained Audi motorsport chief Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, "Whether it is Formula One stars, legends such as Paul Fr?re or newcomers like Pierre Kaffer and Jamie Davies, everyone who has driven an Audi R8 has been impressed."