Vancouver, BC, Canada, July28 — Julie Andre had a brief conversation with Oriol Servia after he just took over the Patrick Racing ride from Townsend Bell.

JULIE: How quickly did the deal with Patrick Racing come together?

SERVIA: I would say not quick because I have been talking to the team since 1999. We have always had good communication with each other. When I lost my ride, I was obviously talking to teams and when the opportunity came, I jumped on it.

JULIE: How did you determine that five races would be fair?

SERVIA: Well, one race you do not have enough time to see how things are going to go. So five races is enough time for them to see if they are getting the results they want and if I am performing the way they want. If, after five races, I am not performing, then I do not deserve the ride anyway. I think it is a good period of time.

JULIE: Could you be offered a permanent ride with Patrick Racing?

SERVIA: Yeah, actually if after five races we have done a good job for each other then the contract will go to the end of the season.

JULIE: How has the transition been going?

SERVIA: The team has been great. It is just the car is very different. I have been driving a Lola for the past two years, and this is a Reynard, which is a bit different, and I am just getting used to it again. But we will be fine.

Copyright © 2002 by Julie Andre and Deep Throttle. All Rights Reserved.