Johnny Herbert has set himself up for a hectic month - just weeks before he bids for a second career Le Mans 24 Hours victory.

Herbert, who lives near Banbury, plans to compete in races in California and Indiana, while on this side of the Atlantic preparations continue for the marathon French race.

The former Grand Prix winner started the busy schedule at the weekend, participating in pre-practice for the Le Mans 24 Hours in which Audi bids for a third consecutive victory.

Herbert, 37, drives a 'factory' entered R8 sportscar on June 15-16 with Rinaldo Capello and Christian Pescatori. The Anglo-Italian combo won the recent Sebring 12-Hours, the opening round of this year's American Le Mans Series.

After the Le Mans test day, Herbert flies to Indianapolis where he drives a Western Union-supported Duesenberg Brothers Racing Dallara.

The famous Indy 500 on May 26 would be Herbert's first oval track racing start.

He competes at the famed 'Brickyard' in opening qualifying this weekend, knowing he must register a time fast enough to book a place in the 33-car race.

Herbert drives the ADT Champion Audi R8 in the second round of the American Le Mans Series, at Sears Point, on May 19 and so cannot participate in final Indy qualifying the same day.

He said: "I don't really look at needing to qualify on the first weekend at Indy as being under pressure. I want to do well on that first day of qualifying and I'm taking that approach."

After the first weekend of qualifying, Herbert will continue Indy practice on May 15-16, before flying to California for the opening practice at Sears Point in his Audi - where he made his ALMS debut last year.

Qualifying is staged on May 18 with the 2hr 45min race run the following day.

After the race, he will return to Indianapolis to begin final preparations for the May 26 running of the 500.

Herbert, who aims to join Graham Hill as the only Briton to win in Formula 1, the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Indy 500, added: "It will be a very busy period, but fortunately my lifestyle is accustomed to that."