Chaves focused on Indy 500 opportunities
2014 Indy Lights champion Gabby Chaves is still seeking to nail down a ride for the Indianapolis 500 and hopes to have news “in the next few days.”
Photo by: IndyCar Series
The Colombian driver, who last year raced for Bryan Herta Autosport, discovered his contract would not be renewed just two days before the announcement of the Andretti-BHA merger mid-February.
Since then, Chaves has tested for Schmidt Peterson Motorsport at Phoenix and Sebring, subbing for Mikhail Aleshin as the Russian awaited his work visa, but is now trying to confirm a ride in the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.
“My purpose was to help Sam’s team, and I was pleased James [Hinchcliffe] and Mikhail were fast [in St. Petersburg],” Chaves told Motorsport.com. “That’s nice to see and feels good.
“Now, the immediate future for me is the Indy 500. Once I’m able to take care of that – and hopefully I will – I can start working on more one-offs this year and a full-time program for next season.”
Limited opportunities
Chaves admitted that despite there being 33 places to fill on the grid for the “500”, his focus was restricted.
“There are limited opportunities for the Indy 500, I must say – two, maybe three,” he remarked, “But there’s only one that seems doable at this time. I’m really trying to get a commitment and I should know in the next few days, hopefully.”
Chaves also said that he was “probably” confined to a Honda-powered car.
“It doesn’t have to be a Honda car,” he said, “but it would help as I would get some support from them. I drove with Honda last year and it would only make sense to continue with them at this point, unless something weird happens.”
Concentrating on open-wheel
Despite some impressive one-off outings in the DeltaWing, Chaves says he is staying committed to IndyCar racing and feels he has not come close to showing his potential.
“I’m concentrating on open-wheel. This is where I feel I should be,” he said.
“At the moment, no one knows how good I am. I’m not blaming anyone for that. Last season was my rookie year, I was on a one-car team, we had limited resources. And everyone did exactly the best we could with what we had. But I’m a lot better than how it looked.
“Now I’m just waiting for my shot. And I’m ready, man; I’m ready if I’m needed.”
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