Servia to join PKV in 2006

The Catalan, who finished as runner-up in the 2005 Champ Car World Series while subbing for the injured Bruno Junqueira at Newman/Haas Racing, moved into the frame at PKV when it became clear that his erstwhile employers would not be running a third car on Junqueira's return.

Servia, about to enter his seventh season of Champ Car racing, scored his first win and first pole position last year.

As a veteran of the series, he is considered the ideal teammate for Legge, in light of 1996 champion and PKV co-owner Jimmy Vasser's imminent retirement, and Cristiano da Matta falling out of favour with team management.

Kalkhoven told autosport.com: "We're building the team for the future, and as such we thought it would be good to have an experienced driver alongside Katherine this year.

"The simple fact is that Oriol isn't just experienced but a very good driver, as he proved with second in the championship last year. He will be a great addition to PKV Racing."

Legge is looking forward to using her new teammate's knowledge.

"It's extremely exciting to have somebody as experienced and talented as Oriol joining me at PKV," she said. "There is obviously a lot I can learn from him."

Kalkhoven is also hoping to persuade Vasser to compete in a third PKV car at the season-opening round in Long Beach on April 9th, as a fitting finale to his hitherto 231-race Champ Car career.

Servia's arrival at PKV puts paid to the hopes of Franck Montagny and Ryan Briscoe who both tested impressively for the team over the winter.

Montagny is still a strong contender for a seat at Rocketsports Racing, but should team-owner Paul Gentilozzi get the necessary funding in place to form a Team Brazil, his cars are likely to be driven by ex-Formula One drivers Antonio Pizzonia and Enrique Bernoldi.

Additional analysis on the surprise move appears in this week's Autosport magazine, which goes on sale tomorrow.