CHAVES CONTINUES JUNIOR FORMULA CAR EDUCATION DURING GP3 DOUBLEHEADER         AT THE RING

07/28/2011

Standout rookie again showcased superb racecraft skills in Rounds Nine and Ten NURBURG, GERMANY (July 28, 2011) – Gabby Chaves continued his junior formula car education this past weekend (July 23-24), via two entertaining, albeit, frustrating GP3 Series races at the Nurburgring in Germany. The highly-rated young driver was poised to enjoy another strong outing in Round Nine, however a decision to switch to rain tires just before the start did not play out in his favor, ultimately resulting in 27th place finish. Round 10 had Chaves charging his way forward, until contact by another competitor relegated him to 17th. Despite the results in Germany, Chaves remains one of the rookie standouts in the 2011 edition of the highly-competitive European series. As has been the case throughout the first half of the GP3 Series season, Chaves entered the Nurburgring doubleheader having never seen the German road course. The No. 24 Avianca/Comcel/Addax Team racer therefore spent the Friday practice runs getting acclimated to the often treacherous 5.148-km configuration. Adding to the challenge, cool conditions meant the tires were slow to get up to ideal temperatures. Chaves ultimately ended the day part of a large mix of drivers separated by mere tenths of second in the middle of the timecharts, having gathered a good deal of valuable seat time and data. With sunny skies greeting the field for the first time in Germany, the lone GP3 Series qualifying run commenced on Saturday morning. Chaves, as expected, was quick to make the most of the improved conditions, rapidly placing his name second on the speedcharts. The order proceeded to shuffle virtually ever lap in the session, as drivers looked for a clear track and pitted for new racing slicks. Chaves appeared towards a potential front-row, when he slid off-course during his last lap flyer, ultimately losing his fastest lap and being classified 15th, a mere half second behind the polesitter. After a brief break to debrief and plan strategy, the GP3 Series racers were back behind the wheels for Round Nine. Just as the cars rolled onto the grid, it began to rain lightly. Predicting more rain, the Addax Team elected to run wet weather tires. This unfortunately proved to be wrong the decision, as the track immediately began to dry during the race. While Chaves showed superb car control on the wrong tires for the conditions during the opening lap, he was forced to pit to switch to slicks at the conclusion of the opening tour. Despite being well back of the main field, the talented young racer charged forward, advancing numerous places before the rain returned in the closing stages of the race. Electing not to pit in the hopes of gaining further positions, the teenager was caught out by the conditions, finishing in 27th. Chaves and the Addax Team quickly put the race one results behind them, and began focusing on Round 10 on Sunday morning. Forced to start near the rear of the competitive field, Chaves further displayed his talents come race time. Chaves, thanks to multiple bold and daring passes in the tricky wet conditions, worked his way forward throughout the early stages of the race. Just as it appeared he might take home some valuable championship points, he was hit from behind by another racer, sending him back down the order. Fortunate to be able to continue racing, the former Formula BMW Americas champion and reigning Italian Formula 3 Championship Rookie of the Year once again began working his way up the timing charts. When the race concluded, Chaves had impressively gotten back up to 17th place. Chaves and the Addax Team will immediately return to action this coming weekend (July 30-31), with Rounds 11 and 12 of the GP3 Series taking place at the Hungaroring as part of the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix. Source:ProMedia Motorsports PR

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