Allan McNish believes Audi will still be the team to beat at Le Mans next year, despite Peugeot's impending arrival.

Audi made history on Sunday by winning the Le Mans 24 Hours with diesel power for the first time, with Emanuele Pirro, Marco Werner and Frank Biela behind the wheel.

McNish, alongside co-drivers Tom Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello, had to make do with third place in another Audi after losing over an hour to repair a string of minor problems.

But the crushing success first time out at Le Mans, which also saw the most laps every completed in the 24 hours, has convinced McNish that Audi are the team to beat next year.

Peugeot arrive with their own diesel car in 2007, yet the Scotsman is sure Audi are the safe bet.

McNish, 36, said: "It was very important this year to come and get as much experience as possible because what we saw on our car is in racing more than testing you find out your weaknesses.

"I think next year it will still be the car to beat."

McNish is keen to finally add a second Le Mans crown to the one he won with Porsche in 1998, and of his third-place trophy he said: "I have got a wee array of these things but I'd like the bigger one, that's nicer."

He admits Audi's decision to risk a diesel entry into Le Mans the first time a major team have done so could have backfired badly had victory slipped away.

"You are laying your reputation on the line because Le Mans is not just a race in France, it is a worldwide event," he added.

"I wouldn't say it was a gamble, but it had a risk element to it with the added interest not just from the media, but from the board.

"That interest is so good in one way, because it means they want to know how our motorsport programmes are going and support it wholeheartedly.

"But then on the other side if it is a bad situation it can create some long-term problems."