Herbert: Grass was the right road.

Johnny Herbert has admitted that his decision to take to the grass to pass Audi team-mate Pierre Kaffer was risky but worth it as it effectively handed him victory in the opening Le Mans Endurance Series race at Monza.

The two Audi UK team Veloqx R8s were the class of the field at the Italian venue, despite early pressure from the promising Zytek Engineering entry and the similar Team Goh Audi, and ran in formation almost throughout the entire five-hour duration. Herbert and Allan McNish took on the lion's share of the driving in their respective mounts as a safety car period threw out previously arranged strategies, and the two Britons proved very evenly matched.

The outcome of the race thus came down to the occasions when the two co-drivers were in the car, and it was Kaffer who appeared most off his game when ranged against the flying Herbert. McNish had handed the German the lead of the race at a rare driver change, but Herbert - racing on a circuit where he celebrated one of his three F1 wins - closed relentlessly until he was sitting on the #8 car's tail.

The make-or-break move came exiting the Ascari chicane three-quarters of the way through the event and, as Kaffer sought a way around the GTS class Ferrari of Barron Connor Racing, Herbert opted to maintain his wide line out of the corner, taking to the grass between the Ferrari and its stricken sister car - which was parked against the barrier, before rejoining in front of Kaffer in time for the Parabolica.

Once in front, Herbert pulled out a lead of his own and not even McNish's return to the #8 and a late-race cloudburst could stop the pole-winning #88 machine from crossing the line first.

"The Audi never missed a beat - it was perfect all day," the Englishman reported, "Going on to the grass to overtake Pierre was worth the risk - and the close finish ultimately proved that I needed to push and build up a small cushion. Victory today was very important for our championship title hopes, and team moral will be high heading to Le Mans which is vital."

McNish had earlier pitted from the lead after a 180-minute driving stint, with Kaffer resuming 1.6secs ahead of Herbert, who had pitted moments earlier. When the Scot took over from Kaffer with 25 laps to the finish, he was 68secs behind Herbert.

The onset of heavy rain five laps later made the track treacherously slippery, forcing both Audis to eventually pit for full wet tyres. With seven laps to run, Herbert held a slender 11.775secs advantage over McNish but the Scotsman, despite a straight-on at the first chicane and contact with another car the following lap, closed in to within just 0.663secs at the chequered flag.

"We had a strong, hard race with the sister car throughout, which I believe was one of the best sportscar races I've ever been involved with," McNish admitted, "I can't be too disappointed with the result. The closing stages were exciting - I was pushing hard and another lap would have been mighty interesting - but we've got points on the board in terms of the championship."

"It was a fantastic result - but probably not good for my heart!" said delighted team owner Sam Li, "By starting this race from pole-position, and ultimately finishing first and second, we successfully delivered a strong message that we're ready for the Le Mans 24 Hours. To win our first two races [Sebring & Monza] with Audi, and to have topped the pre-race test at Le Mans, is magnificent."