In accordance with 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 Formulation Ford, Opel Lotus after which Formulation 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 Formulation 3000 throughout 1993 and ’94, and examined for the Williams and Arrows F1 groups.
Ultimately, he made his method to America the place he would create a outstanding profession for himself. He gained back-to-back CART titles in 2000 and 2001. De Ferran earned 12 whole race victories between IndyCar/CART in a profession spanning from 1995 to 2003.
However his crowning achievement got here in 2003. He gained the Indianapolis 500 whereas driving for Roger Penske, beating teammate Helio Castroneves to the end line. It was his fourth and closing begin within the 500.
Picture by: Earl Ma
Race winner Gil de Ferran
His motorsports profession included a stint in what was recognized 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 12 months because the championship runners-up.
De Ferran additionally holds the file for the quickest closed circuit qualifying velocity 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 your complete de Ferran household.
“Gil outlined class as a driver and as a gentleman. As an IndyCar champion and an Indianapolis 500 winner, Gil completed a lot throughout his profession, each on and off the monitor. Gil was beloved by so many. He was a terrific good friend to the Group Penske and IndyCar household, in addition to your complete worldwide motorsports neighborhood. Gil’s passing is a horrible loss, and he will likely be deeply missed.”
de Ferran spent a while working because the Sporting Director for the BAR-Honda Formulation 1 group from 2005 to 2007. He would fill an analogous function at McLaren from 2018 to 2021, and returned to develop into a marketing consultant to the group earlier this 12 months.
McLaren launched the next assertion on Friday night: “Everybody at McLaren Racing is shocked and deeply saddened to be taught we’ve 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 an enduring influence on everybody racing and dealing alongside him. He will likely be missed by everybody at McLaren Racing.”