On the most recent Formulation For Success podcast, which Coulthard hosts with former F1 workforce boss Eddie Jordan, Coulthard and Stewart – who’re godfathers to Gil’s daughter and son respectively – reminisced about their bond with the two-time IndyCar champion and Indy 500 winner, who died final month on the age of 56.
“The celebration and the reminiscence of Gil, the truth that it’s touched so many individuals, is a testomony to the person,” mentioned Coulthard. “Paul and I’ve been between tears and laughter this week, speaking about an unimaginable particular person.”
Stewart recalled the earliest days of their partnership when he paired Coulthard with de Ferran in Formulation Vauxhall Lotus and Opel Lotus competitors within the UK and Europe.
Picture by: Motorsport Pictures
Gil de Ferran, Paul Stewart Racing leads David Coulthard, Paul Stewart Racing
“You and Gil have been actually the primary two drivers on our staircase of expertise, and what a pairing it was,” mentioned Stewart, who was not solely de Ferran’s workforce boss however went on to be his Formulation 3000 team-mate in 1993. “It simply appeared to suit proper from the beginning.
“What developed between us was no filter, actually. My final dialog with Gil was the day earlier than he handed away, I used to be parked up at a automotive wash on a facetime name with him – I used to be sat there for over an hour! We didn’t discuss automobiles or McLaren… boy, was I fortunate to have that decision, that point with him.
“Angela [his wife, who Gil met at PSR and was previously Jordan’s PA] got here on proper on the finish of it, simply to see the 2 of them smiling collectively, that’s my enduring final reminiscence of him.”
Coulthard recalled nice moments of their friendship throughout the years, regardless of the actual fact they have been solely team-mates for that single season.
“Gil broke the mould in my expectations of what a team-mate can be like,” he mentioned. “We have been put collectively and travelling throughout Europe in a automotive, sharing rooms collectively and falling out on the racetrack collectively often.
“Via all of it, he was at all times capable of separate what occurred when he was working and once we left the racetrack. That may imply barbeques – he was director of meat – and caipirinhas! We simply labored up such a bond, which lasted over all these years.
“A singular character and a life effectively lived, I feel is the expression, although it was too quick, he actually crammed rather a lot into his journey of life.”
