Dominguez signs deal with Midland-Jordan
This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. AutoRacing1.com spoke to Mario Dominguez today in Mexico. "To clear the record, yes, I have signed a letter of intent to drive for the Midland Jordan team in 2006," said Dominguez. However, It is not vital that I bring money to get the ride, because the team and the series knows that if I am in the series there will be great interest in F1 from Mexican sponsors. However, with a lot of other drivers bringing money I am competing against them. I will do whatever I have to do get the sponsors I need.
"I was offered a deal to be the third/Friday driver for 2005 and it did not require that I bring any money. However, that would have been a full-time commitment to travel to all the races and do testing. I had to turn it down because I have a contract with HVM in Champ Car for 2005, a good contract that pays me well and I intend to honor it. What everyone must understand is that F1 is a dream for me. When I drove the Jordan last week it was the first time in 12 years that a Mexican drove an F1 car, and although my test was cut short due to weather and Tiago Monteiro crashing the car in the morning, it was still a great experience and I am thankful for the opportunity.
"In September Midland will have the new Dallara ready for testing and I may do some more testing at that time," added Dominguez. "I think by me getting involved with F1 will bring good exposure to my sponsors in Champ Car this year, as well as my team and Champ Car." Mark Cipolloni
02/15/05 Our sources tell us that in order to be a test driver for Jordan, Dominguez has to bring $10 million (USD) in sponsorship for 2005. If he does well enough and lands a full-time ride in 2006 it will be contingent on him bringing even more sponsorship money. Whether he is able to raise that much money remains to be seen, and we'll believe it when we see it. 02/15/05 AutoRacing1.com sources at HVM tell us that they expect Mexican Champ Car driver Mario Dominguez to drive for the Midland/Jordan team in 2006 and test on occasion with the team in 2005, when there are no Champ Car conflicts. He will definitely drive in Champ Car in 2005. While he may have inked a deal with Jordan, he is probably not assured of a drive and could be relegated to test driver or third driver (Friday). He will have to earn a regular drive by beating both Tiago Monteiro and Narain Karthikeyan, who will be the team's regular drivers in 2005. Whether or not there will be a F1 race in Mexico will probably be a factor as well, as we're sure his sponsors, as well as Bernie Ecclestone, would want that. Currently that deal is being held up by a land acquisition dispute for a track outside of Cancun. Mark C.