Servia optimistic of Milwaukee win

The Catalan, whose only finish this year was an eighth place at the last race in Monterrey, believes that the famous Milwaukee Mile, the only oval race on the series' calendar, could get the best out of both himself and the team, given their previous records as separate entities.

"I've always gone well there," Servia told autosport.com. "I finished second in 2003, half a second behind Michel [Jourdain], and last year I was third in my first race for Newman/Haas.

"And last year PKV had a great car for qualifying when Jimmy [Vasser, PKV co-owner] took pole and Cristiano [da Matta] was fourth. So put me and the team together and, hopefully, if we have a good car in the race, then it looks good."

Servia did warn against being too optimistic, however. He said: "We were super-quick in Houston though, and then we went to Monterrey and had our biggest struggle of the year.

"I don't want to be too extra-confident. I am well aware that it takes everything to be perfect to be at the front n Champ Cars these days."

Many of those in the Champ Car paddock believe that Milwaukee will be the track at which reigning champion Sebastien Bourdais' victory roll will come to a halt.

The Frenchman has never shone on the 1.032-mile course, and his team Newman/Haas Racing has not won there since Michael Andretti took victory a decade ago.

Servia, who caught and passed Bourdais on his way to the podium at last year's race at Milwaukee, is wary of ruling out his former teammate as a potential victor this weekend.

"It's hard to name a race where you don't think Sebastien will be a contender. Okay, so this has not been his strongest race in the past, probably because he has less experience than some of us with ovals - he didn't do Indy Lights, and he wasn't in Champ Cars in the days when we had six or seven oval races per year.

"But honestly, he is so super-talented, he may well end up winning anyway. However, I think Paul Tracy will be very good there. He's won Milwaukee four times before - including last year - and he is probably the only guy out there who has more experience than me on ovals. Always strong."

Servia also tips Bruno Junqueira as a potential winner. Junqueira, whose long recuperation last year (after damaging his back at Indy) gave Servia his chance at Newman/Haas has struggled this year in comparison to team-mate Bourdais, but is regarded as a better oval racer than the Frenchman.

"I think it might be the race where Bruno comes back," said Servia. "He has had a tough time this year, but we know how good he is on ovals. In fact, if I remember correctly he was quickest at the test here last year which happened before Indy. He should be in good shape."

Qualifying this weekend is on Saturday only, in contrast to regular Champ Car race weekends where first qualifying takes place on Friday.

At Milwaukee, the Friday track action will be an open test for all contenders, divided into morning and afternoon sessions.

According to Servia, making Friday a productive day will be vital to sorting through set-ups for both qualifying and race.

"It's very hard to work out the best set-up for Milwaukee," says Oriol. "You have to be careful not to overdo it as far as handling is concerned.

"When we used to race at night there, we had a lot of downforce because the track was cooler and the tyres weren't generating so much grip. With all that downforce, it could cover up some mistakes you might make with set-up.

"Now though, we race in the heat of the day and it is very tricky, you run less downforce and the cars get slick.

"If you have set it up with too much oversteer, it gets much too hard and you either end up in the wall, or you go slower and end up getting lapped about 20 times!"