Peugeot driver Anthony Davidson hopes the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup becomes as popular as it is spectacular.

The ex-Formula 1 driver has admitted he underestimated the sport in the past, until he dropped out of F1.

The new ILMC series, which combines events from the Le Mans Series and the American Le Mans Series, will also feature a race in China and an important participation in the 24hours of Le Mans.

"After leaving the world of F1 and joining the sportscar scene, I suddenly realised it was like this secret of motorsport that no one has discovered," he admitted on the main stage at Autosport International.

"The cars are fantastic and the scene is brilliant. It was a big surprise to me just what a brilliant scene the whole sportscar world is, and it's something that I think a driver after Formula 1 can look to do for many a year."

Davidson conceded that his only regret for the coming year is the rules regulating the performances of the LMP1 cars.

"With the restriction of the regulations for this year, they've been detuned not just power-wise but aero-wise as well.

"So all in all the cars are going to be a tiny bit slower, which is a real shame for drivers, because you always want to drive the fastest machine available," he concluded.