The ex-Formula One star wants to bid for a second victory in the endurance classic in dry conditions after experiencing the flip side of the coin last year.

Three quarters of the 2001 renewal took place in the rain and Herbert's hopes were washed out less than eight hours into the event.

The 37-year-old from Essex is naturally apprehensive about what might lie ahead when he sets off on what is likely to prove a journey of more than 3,000 miles for his Audi.

"I definitely hope it will be dry," said Herbert, who will start the race from pole position after his Italian co-driver Rinaldo Capello set the fastest ever Le Mans qualifying lap.

"It can be exciting in the wet but last year was ridiculous. There was so much water that the car was continually aquaplaning and there was nothing you could do about it."

Yet whatever the track is like, Herbert cannot see any result other than a third successive Audi win.

"The Audi is the strongest car by far," said Herbert, who is aiming to prevent colleagues Tom Kristensen, Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro from becoming the first crew to triumph at Le Mans in three consecutive years.

"There's a big improvement in speed on this year's version and that's because so much hard work has gone into it."

Plenty of effort has also been put in to ensure MG build on their highly promising debut in 2001, and their impressive qualifying performances suggest it will soon pay off.

Former McLaren driver Mark Blundell was running as high as third early on last year, but the two MG cars ultimately proved fragile and retired.

"We've come to Le Mans off the back of some very encouraging testing," said Blundell, who starts sixth on the grid.

"There has been a vast improvement in durability, engine performance and tyre wear. I'm expecting a much stronger showing in the race than last year - I'd like to see us up among the front-runners."