IndyCar champion and Indy 500 winner Gil de Ferran has died suddenly at the age of 56. According to the Associated Press, the Brazilian reportedly died of a heart attack during a match with his son at The Concours Club in Florida.
De Ferran chose a career in the United States after several entry-level classes in Europe. In America he won the IndyCar championship – then still under the name CART – in 2000 and 2001 for the Penske team. In 2003, the Paris-born driver triumphed at the Indianapolis 500. After two years in the American Le Mans Series in 2008 and 2009, the Brazilian hung up his helmet.
He decided to become a team owner in IndyCar. Ahead of the 2010 season, de Ferran merged his team with Luczo Dragon Racing, a team founded by Jay Penske, the son of de Ferran’s former boss Roger Penske, and Steve Luczo, a successful technology leader and racing enthusiast. The new team was named Ferran Dragon Racing and that was the realization of Ferran’s ambition to return to IndyCar.
Many messages of support around the world have been expressed in response to De Ferran’s death, including an acquaintance of the Brazilian, Zak Brown. ”I am shocked and devastated to hear of the loss of our great friend and teammate. I have raced with Gil all over the world and have seen him win some of the biggest races. He has been a wonderful friend for over 20 years and will be greatly missed and never forgotten. My deepest condolences to his family. RIP Gil. The next victory is yours!”
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2023-12-30 08:02:00
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