ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – As Gabby Chaves sat on the pit wall following last Sunday’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg the Verizon IndyCar Series rookie driver had the look of being tired, relieved and satisfied all at the same time.
The 21-year-old from Colombia who has lived in the United States for over 10 years had just finished his first Verizon IndyCar Series race and completed all 110 laps on the grueling 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street course in the Bowers & Wilkins Honda for Bryan Herta Autosport.
Completing every lap in the race was an important goal for Chaves as he takes the next step in his racing career.
“I really think we had pretty darn good pace,” Chaves said. “The first stint we were really quick, catching every car in front of us making passes left and right and knew we had the pace. I saw an opening for an overtake, went for the gap, got shut down, had to jump a curb to avoid and ended up hurting my spot. I got a drive-through penalty on that and had to change the front wing. From there we tried to put it together and get to the finish line at the end.
“The last 35 laps was save fuel, save fuel, save fuel and get to the finish.”
It was also a learning experience as he tried to drive aggressively but was penalized for avoidable contact after hitting James Hinchcliffe’s Honda on Lap 39.
“I saw a gap and thought it was a good move; Hinch either didn’t see me or thought it was his corner,” Chaves explained. “I got left with no room. I had to jump the curb and ended up hitting him. The Race Director thought it was my fault so I got the drive-through.
“Other than that I think we did a good job. We had plenty of pace. We were quick and made a lot of progression over the weekend. We ended up being the best rookie out there. You take the positive and try to build on the negative.”
Chaves is working with experienced engineer John Dick, who has worked with some of the top drivers since the 1980s including two-time Indianapolis 500 winning drivers Al Unser, Jr. and Arie Luyendyk at Shierson Racing when he won the 1990 Indianapolis 500. Dick started his career in the early 1980s and most recently worked with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing last season.
“John is great,” Chaves said. “Working with someone who has so much experience helps us move forward especially being a rookie driver.”
Dick was impressed with his star pupil and sees bigger things on the horizon.
“He did a little bit of everything,” Dick said. “It was pretty interesting to watch. For a first race he went through way more things than a guy usually does in his first race. He really did a fantastic job. We were impressed with his demeanor and maturity. It’s like working with a veteran and it was only his first race.
“He has a lot of potential.”
After working with so many veteran drivers Dick has a chance to work with a rookie.
“It was kind of serendipitous to be honest,” Dick explained. “We did a test together that Bryan Herta put together at the last moment. I got a call to go do it.
“The test was really, really eye-opening. I said I have to engineer this guy for the season. That will be like a Christmas present.”
Dick realizes BHA is up against teams with more resources but has a quality deep operation.
Chaves liked the feel of the new Honda Aero Kit even after it had rear damage. But making it to the finish was very important as Chaves and the Verizon IndyCar Series drivers move on to NOLA Motorsports Park for the April 12 Indy Grand Prix of Louisiana.
“It’s going to be a complete different animal,” Chaves said. “It’s a big, fast road course so the car is going to be a lot different.”