Gil de Ferran, the 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner and closed-track speed record holder, died Friday while racing with his son at the Concourse Club in Florida, several former colleagues confirmed to The Associated Press. He was 56.
Fellow Brazilian driver Tony Kanaan said de Ferran was at the private course in Opa-Locka, Florida, with his son Luke when he stopped and said he wasn't feeling well. Kanaan said de Ferran appeared to have suffered a heart attack and could not be revived.
When de Ferran won the Indy 500 for Roger Penske in 2003, it was Penske's third consecutive victory in the “greatest spectacle of racing,” who now has a record 19 victories in the legendary Memorial Day weekend race.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Gil de Ferran today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Angela, Anna, Luke and the entire de Ferran family,” Roger Penske said in a statement. “Gil defined class as a driver and as a gentleman. An IndyCar champion and Indianapolis 500 winner, Gil has accomplished so much throughout his career both on and off the track.
“Gil was loved by so many. He was a great friend to Team Penske and the IndyCar family, as well as the entire international motorsports community. Gil’s death is a terrible loss and we will miss him greatly.”
Kanaan said he was “devastated” by the loss of the Brazilian icon.
“He was one of my best friends and we grew up together and worked together more recently at McLaren,” Kanaan told The Associated Press. “Earlier this year he was a mentor and helped me. I have lost a dear friend. I am devastated. I have to say he did it Gil style and drove a race car. If I could choose a path, I could do that.”
The Brazilian motorsport federation confirmed that de Ferran had suffered a fatal heart attack in a statement from President Giovanni Guerra.
“Gil de Ferran shone on Brazilian and foreign circuits. Highlights included his English Formula 3 title, his two IndyCar championships and victory in the Indy 500 in 2003. On my behalf and on behalf of our Confederation, we pray to God to welcome our brother in all splendor and comfort his family, Friends and millions of fans around the world.”
Juan Pablo Montoya, the 2000 and 2015 IndyCar champion, said: “Crazy, sad news. Great guy and great racer.” Montoya won the Indy 500 for Penske in 2015.
The French-born Brazilian was rehired as a consultant at McLaren in May. He was sporting director of McLaren's failed attempt to qualify Fernando Alonso for the 2019 Indy 500.
“Everyone at McLaren Racing is shocked and deeply saddened to learn that we have lost a beloved member of our or the McLaren family,” the team posted on social media. “We have expressed our deepest condolences to Gil de Ferran’s family, friends and loved ones.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown, a longtime close friend of de Ferran, added: “I am shocked and devastated to hear of the loss of a great friend and teammate,” he wrote on social media. “I have raced with Gil all over the world and seen him win some of the biggest races.
“He has been a great friend for over 20 years and we will miss him greatly and never forget him,” Brown said. “My deepest condolences go out to his family. RIP Gil. The next win is for you! Good speed.”
De Ferran won the Champ Car titles for Penske in 2000 and 2001 and also won the Indy 500 with Penske in 2003. He finished second in the LMP1 class of the American Le Mans Series in 2009, driving for his own company, de Ferran Motorsports.
In 2000, de Ferran set the closed track land speed record in CART qualifying at California Speedway with a lap speed of 241.428 miles per hour – a mark that still stands today.
Marco Andretti was one of dozens of drivers who posted their tributes on social media. It included a photo of de Ferran with the caption “My friend. One of the real ones. One of the reasons for my F1 testing. I was amazed by your passion and love for our sport. Thank you for what you have contributed to my life.”
De Ferran was inspired to race by fellow Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi and began his career in karting before embarking on a career in the European ranking system. He lost the British Formula 3 title in 1991 to his compatriots Rubens Barrichello and David Coulthard, but won the title the next season.
He won seven CART races and five IndyCar races and finished second overall in 2003. In 2000, he joined Team Penske with their legendary Marlboro sponsorship.
De Ferran is survived by his wife Angela, his daughter Anna and his son Luke. Anna has become a DJ at Formula 1 races around the world and the whole family has been posting festive Christmas photos over the last week.
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AP Auto Racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing