Over aggressive' Servia fined and docked points.

'PPI Motorsports driver Oriol Servia has become the latest CART rookie to come under scrutiny from the series organisers after the Spaniard became embroiled in several debatable incidents during the last round of the Fed-Ex series at Surfers Paradise. Going into the final round of this year's Fed-Ex Championship Servia has been docked four points and fined $20,000.

Servia, who remains 15th in the overall classification with 60 points going into the final round of the series at Fontana, was involved in a high speed accident that eliminated Championship contender Paul Tracy and appeared not to lift off the throttle when Max Papis hit the wall and nearly blocked the track at the first chicane.

The Reynard-Toyota driver loses the four points he gained for his eventual ninth position but will not be removed from the results and thus no other driver gains any points.

Currently second in the Rookie of the Year standings, Servia was not pleased with the decision and felt he had been harshly dealt with. "I fell like CART wanted to send a message for all of the aggressive driving in Surfers and I am the messenger. There were many incidents during that race that were maybe a little over the top, but I am the one who is being penalised. Obviously I am not pleased about that."

The news of the penalty is a double blow for Servia, who learned this week that his current employers, Cal Wells, will not be entering the 2001 Fed-Ex Championship after lead driver Cristiano Da Matta left in an as yet unofficial move to Newman-Haas. Servia had been expected to stay with the team before news of their withdrawal emerged and the young Spaniard now has very little time to secure a ride as competitive as his current one.

Servia and fellow rookies Alex Tagliani and Takuya Kurosawa have all incurred the wrath of the CART Officials during the 2000 season despite showing very well throughout the year.

Kurosawa, who left the series mid-season for a back operation, was warned repeatedly about moving over for backmarkers after taking out Championship contender Roberto Moreno in Detroit while Tagliani had his wrists slapped for numerous incidents in Vancouver. Servia's fine has been seen as a warning for all drivers as they head to the ultra fast Fontana Superspeedway where this year's thrilling title chase will finally be resolved.