Herdez names Dominguez for 2002.

Team Herdez has revealed Mario Dom?nguez as the new driver of the #16 Lola, as the Mexican takes over from countryman Michel Jourdain Jr for 2002.

Dom?nguez, a former champion with the Herdez Competition Team in the Mexican Formula Three series, has been an integral part of the Herdez 'Viva Mexico' programme since 1996, when he first began carrying Herdez sponsorship on his cars in the Mexican F3 and F3000 championships.

In 2001, he finished fourth in the Dayton Indy Lights series in his third year. A native of Mexico City, the 26-year old Dom?nguez has an extensive background in open-wheel racing, having started in karts in 1987 before winning multiple championships and races as he climbed the open-wheel ladder.

Dom?nguez tested for the Herdez team in November last year, but negotiations to step up to the big league with Grupo Herdez and the former Bettenhausen team only commenced a few months ago. An agreement was reached shortly before the first off-season test at Sebring International Raceway last month.

"I still can't believe it!" a delighted Dominguez bubbled, "I have put in a lot of hard work over the years and struggled to prove myself and now, finally, this opportunity has come. I definitely think that the test I did in 2000 was key for me in getting the ride for next year. I'm very, very happy to be continuing my relationship with Herdez and to be joining Team Herdez. I think it's a wonderful team that will give me all of the necessary tools to be competitive in the CART FedEx series next year.

"I want to express my thanks to Enrique Hernandez Pons [CEO of Grupo Herdez], Keith Wiggins [managing director of Team Herdez], and the whole Team Herdez organisation for their support."

Wiggins is encouraged by Dominguez's early testing results and his potential for success, and admitted that there was little hesitation in snapping him up for next season.

"We were impressed by Mario when we first tested him last year and believe that he's earned this opportunity," the former Pacific Racing boss said, "We've now completed the first test in preparation for the 2002 season, and we were once again pleased with the speed, competence, and technical feedback that he displayed. He worked very well with the team and we are all excited to get started on the 2002 season."

A press conference to accompany the announcement is expected to be held on 13 December at the 2001 Mexican Auto Show at Mexico's World Trade Centre.