Former Indianapolis 500 champion Gil de Ferran died unexpectedly at the age of 56, shocking the motorsports world.
According to the Brazilian Automobile Confederation (CBA), de Ferran suffered a heart attack on Friday while at a private motor racing club in Florida and was “promptly taken to a local hospital, but did not survive”.
“On behalf of myself and the entire CBA family, we pray to God to receive our brother with all glory and to support his family, friends and millions of fans around the world,” Giovanni Guerra, the president of the CBA, told reporters.
In addition to his racing career in the US open-wheel IndyCar Series, de Ferran served as McLaren’s sports director from 2018 to 2021, after which he continued with the team as a consulting advisor.
In a statement released on Saturday, the team stated: “Everyone at McLaren Racing is surprised and extremely grieved to discover we have lost a valued member of our McLaren family.
Read also: De Ferran returns to the McLaren F1 team as special advisor.
“Gil was a crucial and integral component of our Racing squad. He was a tremendous force both on and off the track, leaving an indelible impression on everyone who raced and worked with him.
De Ferran’s stint at McLaren was credited with helping them recover from their worst season on record in 2018, which was followed by a third-place result in the 2020 constructors’ championship.
As a driver, de Ferran began in karting in Brazil. He won the British Formula Three title with Paul Stewart Racing in 1992, where he met his future wife Angela, who survives him together with their two children, Anna and Luke.
De Ferrari soon moved to the United States, where he won the Champ Car World Series in 2000 and 2001 with Team Penske, as well as the historic Indy 500 in 2003.
After leaving IndyCar, de Ferran combined driving in sports cars with his burgeoning career in team administration, serving as sporting director for the BAR-Honda F1 team from 2005 to 2007.
That was followed by a stint in the cockpit of a factory-backed Acura LMP2 prototype in the American Le Mans Series as the owner-driver of de Ferran Motorsports, which won five races and set seven poles in 2009.
After learning of Friday’s announcement, his countrymen and fellow former Formula One driver Felipe Massa said: “What horrible news today. We lost a brother. Wonderful person and a motorsports legend. “Go in peace, Gil.”
“Gil was beloved by so many,” stated IndyCar team owner Roger Penske. “He was a terrific friend to the Team Penske IndyCar family and the whole international motorsports community. Gil’s death is a devastating loss. He will be sorely missed.”
“It is heartbreaking to learn of Gil de Ferran’s passing,” said Mark Miles, president and CEO of the Penske Group. “His accomplishments on the track were outstanding.
“But I, like so many others in our paddock, was fortunate to know what a wonderful person he was.” Gil was a true IndyCar ambassador, with unrivaled charm and wit. Our sympathies to the de Ferran family.”
“Gil de Ferran was an Indianapolis 500 winner who has always represented the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ with genuine grace,” stated Indianapolis Motor Speedway president J. Douglas Boles.
Gil, a true champion of open-wheel racing, capped up his incredible career with a stunning win at Indianapolis.
“Gil’s return to the Speedway in May was always a highlight, as he spent time with fans and friends. We were fortunate to honor him and commemorate the 20th anniversary of his victory this past May.
“Our hearts and deepest sympathies go to Angela, their children and all his family and friends.”
As tributes to Gil de Ferran stream in on social media, we at F1i would like to express our heartfelt condolences to Gil’s friends and family.
I am shocked and devastated to hear of the loss of our great friend and teammate. I’ve raced with Gil all over the world and watched him win some of the biggest races. He’s been a great friend for over 20 years and will be greatly missed and never forgotten. My deepest… pic.twitter.com/vJBbnK650F
— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) December 30, 2023
