Gabby Chaves and Sage Karam, the past two Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires champions, along with GP2 Series multiple race winner Stefano Coletti, eight-time Verizon IndyCar Series starter Luca Filippi and two-time starter Francesco Dracone will make their first appearance in the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
Chaves, Karam and Coletti will contend for Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors and accompanying $50,000 prize.
“The rookie of the year battle will be very tight,” said Karam, who will drive the No. 8 GE LED Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet. “Gabby and I know each other very well; we were racing go-karts together from when we were 8 through Indy Lights and as teammates (at Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in 2013). I know we will be on the track banging wheels.
“Your No. 1 goals is to go out and win races. I think for me and Gabby aero kits will be a positive because now we’re in the same boat as everybody else. If we began with the old stuff it would be a lot harder to pick up those last extra tenths of a second here and there that these guys know how to do.
“This is like a new boat for everybody taking like a semi-rookie step back. It will help our efforts.”
Chaves, who was runner-up to Karam in the 2013 Indy Lights championship and secured the 2014 title on the strength of four victories for Belardi Auto Racing, will drive the No. 98 Bowers & Wilkins BHA with Curb-Agajanian Honda.
“I believe it’s going to be a great year. We know the amount of work that it’s going to take to be competitive and we’re just talking it one step at a time,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll be the fastest rookie and a top contender in the overall race. We’re still in the very early stages of development with the Honda kit and engine and our set-up and each time I go out I’m finding some speed.”
During a two-day session last week, Coletti explored the characteristics of the Chevrolet aerodynamic bodywork and engine package on the 2.38-mile, 17-turn Barber Motorsports Park road course.
“Looking at the new aero kit, we’ve been quicker everywhere,” said Coletti, who also has tested at NOLA Motorsports Park and Sebring International Raceway. “I think everyone is going to be happy about that.”
He said the No. 4 KV Racing Technology Chevrolet is heavier and has more downforce than the car he drove in the GP2 Series, and “has better tires.”
“It’s a Dallara like in GP2, and when I came here I thought I’d see a car that was a bit lazier to drive and less efficient in braking and overall not as good. But I was surprised. It brakes better and goes quicker through the corners and very nice to drive,” he said.
Filippi has surpassed the number of races, according to the Verizon IndyCar Series rulebook, to be considered a Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate. He’ll drive the No. 20 Fuzzy’s CFH Racing Chevrolet in road and street courses races, with team co-owner Ed Carpenter competing on ovals.
Dale Coyne Racing announced that Dracone, who competed at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Sonoma Raceway in 2010 for Conquest Racing, will drive the No. 19 Honda in the first four races of the season.