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Chat Reel: Oriol Servia

CART rookie talks about experiences on circuit

Oriol Servia prepared for CART by spending five years in the French F3. Robert Laberge/Allsport

Oriol Servia recently joined CNNSI.com users for a live chat about the world of CART. A transcript of that July 25 chat follows:

CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's CART chat with rookie driver Oriol Servia. Welcome Oriol. Thanks for joining us.
Oriol Servia: No problem!

From Mark Cipolloni in Hamilton, N.J.: Do you think there will be a lot of interest from Spanish fans to see the CART races at Rockingham, England and Eurospeedway, Germany, i.e. will we see a lot of Spanish fans in the grandstands or is CART an unknown to them? Good Luck in Chicago!
Oriol Servia: I think we are building up a lot of expectations because there are two TV stations there showing the races. Those two races are going to be like being at home.

From Gonzalo in New York: Where do you think that you would get your first win in an oval or in a regular racetrack? Why?
Oriol Servia: I do not know. We are strong in both places now. I hope in an oval because it is the next race. *laughs* I want it as much as possible.

From Mike C.: Do most of you CART guys actually ride shifter carts when you are not racing Champ cars?
Oriol Servia: In Europe, most of the cars are shifters. When you have a sports car, it is much nicer. The truth is, I do not have a road car. You have to ask hertz. *laughs*

From Skidleft: Several CART stars got their start in British F3. How did that series prepare you for CART?
Oriol Servia: Actually, I started in the French F3. I think it was a very good school. I did five years there and there was a lot of competition. It was just one of the steps I had to go through, and I am very proud of those years [I did there].

From PedroFan: Are you friends with Pedro de la Rosa?
Oriol Servia: I am actually very close to him. We have the same trainer, so whenever we are in Barcelona, we always train together. So yes. He is a great guy.

From Ronny: Did you ever consider a career in World SuperBike or World Rally?
Oriol Servia: SuperBike? I always like bikes, but I have never raced them. The Rallys always kept my attention, but right now I am in a very firm path. One day, I am very sure I will be at least trying one of those cars.

From SmartCART: It was obviously tough on you, but what happened when you retired on the first lap in both Japan and Rio?
Oriol Servia: It was one of those things that show you that you are still a rookie.

From MotorcityMan: What was the key to your podium in Detroit?
Oriol Servia: Consistency and a lot of aggressiveness in the key moments.

From Chris: Will you be back with Cal Wells next year?
Oriol Servia: Right now, we still do not know. I hope so. I think the team also hopes so. But there are lots of things that we have to agree to.

From Cindy: Did you get a chance to attend the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona?
Oriol Servia: Well, like most of my time, I was racing somewhere else. I was in France at the moment. I felt that Barcelona is nicer than ever.

CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks again for joining us Oriol. Good luck.
Oriol Servia: Thank you!

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