MARTIN BRUNDLE is back behind the wheel for the Le Mans 24 Hour race this week-end after being signed up by car giant Nissan.

Brundle has been working as a commentator for ITV after losing his seat with the Jordan Formula One team at the end of last season. "It's my one race of the year and I want to win it," he said.

Brundle was handed the chance of a drive in the world's most prestigious endurance race when Nissan joined forces with Tom Walkinshaw's TWR company.

Walkinshaw persuaded Brundle and Riccardo Patrese, back three years after quitting Formula One, to help Nissan snatch the sport's biggest prize, for the first time in their history.

Walkinshaw has already won the Le Mans classic twice with Jaguar, in 1988 and 1990, with Brundle at the wheel,

Nissan, however, found itself in third and sixth spot after Thursday's official practice - Patrese's car being the faster.

The German-based Joest-Porsche team, victors last year, finished in first place, ahead of the Porsche GTI of two other Formula One drivers, Thierry Boutsen of Belgium and Germany's Hans Stuck.

Former world motor racing champion Mario Andretti could do no better than 31st spot with his Courage.

Andretti is seeking to emulate the late Graham Hill's unique feat of winning the Formula One world drivers championship, the Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans.