Henrique Chaves achieved two podiums at Paul Ricard, where was held this weekend the second International GT Open’s event, and leads the Drivers’ Standings.
The Portuguese driver and his teammate, his countryman Miguel Ramos, arrived at the French track in the championship lead and their goal for the weekend was to keep their advantage.
The first qualifying was a difficult affair for the Portuguese duo and Miguel Ramos got the eighth grid position.
He recovered two places during his stint and after the driver change Henrique Chaves was fifth. The twenty-three-year-old driver adopted a strong pace and gained two more positions, ending in third and signing the race fastest lap in the process.
Sunday started with a fierce fight for the pole-position and Henrique Chaves signed the second fastest lap, 0,042s from the poletime.
The poleman started the sixty-minute race well and the driver of the Teo Martín Motorsport’s McLaren 720S GT3 didn’t have the opportunity to take the lead. However, he was clearly the fastest driver on track and was always less than a second from the car in front.
Henrique Chaves pressured his opponent, but he had a superior top speed, and the Portuguese never had the chance to try to overtake him.
In the middle of the race he handover the British car to Miguel Ramos, who also tried to take the lead, but ended in the second place.
“It was a good weekend, we kept our lead in the standings, so our main goal was achieved. However, we were so close to the win the second race and that leaves a bit of bitterness. But we showed a strong pace during the event, we were consistently the fastest, and that gives us confidence for the future”, said Henrique Chaves, adding: “We are working very well together – I, Miguel and the team – and we are confident that we can keep fighting and protect our lead in the championship”.
The next International GT Open round will be held at Red Bull Ring, at September 20th – 23rd
