In response to the Related Press, de Ferran appeared to undergo a coronary heart assault whereas competing together with his son at The Concours Membership in Opa-locka, Florida on Friday.
The open-wheel legend started his racing profession in British Method Ford, Opel Lotus after which Method 3, ending third within the 1991 British F3 title race behind Rubens Barrichello and David Coulthard. He got here again stronger in 1992, taking the title for himself with Paul Stewart Racing.
He went on to win three races in FIA Method 3000 throughout 1993 and ’94, and examined for the Williams and Arrows F1 groups.
Finally, he made his option to America the place he would create a exceptional profession for himself. He received back-to-back CART titles in 2000 and 2001. De Ferran earned 12 complete race victories between IndyCar/CART in a profession spanning from 1995 to 2003.
However his crowning achievement got here in 2003. He received the Indianapolis 500 whereas driving for Roger Penske, beating teammate Helio Castroneves to the end line. It was his fourth and ultimate begin within the 500.
Picture by: Earl Ma
Race winner Gil de Ferran
His motorsports profession included a stint in what was identified then because the American Le Mans Sequence, successful 5 of ten races in 2009 together with his de Ferran Motorsports Acura ARX-01b entry and co-driver Simon Pagenaud. They ended the yr because the championship runners-up.
De Ferran additionally holds the report for the quickest closed circuit qualifying pace ever in his Penske IndyCar, lapping California Speedway at 241.428mph in October of 2000.
Roger Penske launched the next assertion on his passing: “We’re terribly saddened to listen to about as we speak’s tragic passing of Gil de Ferran. Our ideas and prayers exit to [his wife] Angela, [daughter] Anna, [son] Luke, and the whole de Ferran household.
“Gil outlined class as a driver and as a gentleman. As an IndyCar champion and an Indianapolis 500 winner, Gil achieved a lot throughout his profession, each on and off the monitor. Gil was beloved by so many. He was an ideal buddy to the Workforce Penske and IndyCar household, in addition to the whole worldwide motorsports neighborhood. Gil’s passing is a horrible loss, and he shall be deeply missed.”
de Ferran spent a while working because the Sporting Director for the BAR-Honda Method 1 group from 2005 to 2007. He would fill an analogous function at McLaren from 2018 to 2021, and returned to turn into a marketing consultant to the group earlier this yr.
McLaren launched the next assertion on Friday night: “Everybody at McLaren Racing is shocked and deeply saddened to study we now have misplaced a beloved member of our McLaren household. We ship our deepest condolences to Gil de Ferran’s household, associates and family members.
“Gil was an essential and integral a part of our Racing group. He was a formidable drive on and off monitor and made a long-lasting impression on everybody racing and dealing alongside him. He shall be missed by everybody at McLaren Racing.”
