Dominguez back with HVM

The Mexican has been strongly linked with a switch to Formula 1 for 2006 with the new Midland team, but in the meantime he is content to stay in the US and target the Champ Car title.

"With a year of continuity, I look forward to continuing our rise in the championship and racing for the title," said Dominguez. "I am looking forward to this season more than ever."

Dominguez took a highly fortunate victory at Surfer's Paradise in 2002 and then a rather more hard-earned triumph at Miami a year later. He failed to win a race last season but still finished a career-best fifth in the points.

HVM's name change is due to the fluctuations in the sponsorship market, with former primary backers Herdez pulling out of the sport this season. Team boss Keith Wiggins promised that the changes would only be cosmetic however, and that the team itself would remain competitive.

"As a race team we are the same group, continuing to develop and improve," he said. "From a business perspective it will be a change of identity for the first time since 2001, with new sponsors joining the development of the company. This is an exciting period."

The team will continue to run a two-car programme, although 2004 driver Ryan Hunter-Reay hinted at the Autosport International show that he is close to agreeing a deal with a rival team for this season. Mexican David Martinez, a Formula Renault V6 graduate, is due to test for HVM at Sebring in early February.