Allan McNish will return to the Le Mans 24 hours next year after re-signing with Audi - the dominant force at the classic enduro of the last decade.

The 37-year-old Briton, who won the race with Porsche back in 1998, will again share the lead R10 turbo diesel with Dane Tom Kristensen and Italian Rinaldo Capello - both multiple winners of the race themselves.

Audi motorsport boss Dr Wolfgang Ullrich said that retaining drivers of the calibre of McNish, who only lost victory last year when team-mate Capello crashed out of a two-lap lead with six hours remaining, was crucial to again beating rivals Peugeot at the race.

"We are sure that Peugeot will make a big step forward in its second season and are expecting a hard fight at Le Mans," said Ullrich.

"Generally, with such an extensive programme, the 2008 season will be an enormous challenge for Audi Sport. However, Audi has never been shy of a challenge. We have the drivers to do it."

Audi also confirmed the line-ups in their other two LMP1 Prototypes. Last year's winners Frank Biela, Emanuele Pirro and Marco Werner will stay together in the number one car while young chargers Lucas Luhr, Alex Premat and Mike Rockenfeller share the other car.

Audi also confirmed that they will remain in the American Le Mans Series as well as running in the Europe-based Le Mans Series.

Jamie O'Leary / Eurosport