Wednesday February 2nd, 2000

Mario Andretti, the 1978 Formula One world champion, will drive a Panoz for his Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar comeback at the age of 60.

"It's not every day you get to sign up a legend to your team, but I can tell you it's a great feeling," said the American team's owner Don Panoz in a statement.

"Mario's addition to our driver line-up makes us a real force to be reckoned with at Le Mans this year."

Andretti retired from full time racing at the end of 1994 but has competed at Le Mans since then, finishing second in 1995.

He has never won the race, despite seven attempts in the 1980s and 1990s, but is hoping for success in June.

"Victory at Le Mans is something which has so far eluded me but I am confident that Don will provide me with the right package to be able to achieve that goal," he said after testing the Panoz LMP-1 Roadster earlier in the week.

Andretti's co-drivers will be announced later.