Gil de Ferran, Brazilian racing champion, dies at age 56 after suffering cardiac arrest while driving

Brazilian driver Gil de Ferran died this Friday afternoon, aged 56, after suffering a cardiac arrest while driving in Florida, USA. Winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 2003, he also won British Formula 3 and was two-time CART (currently IndyCar Series) champion.

Gil de Ferran wins the Indianapolis 500 in 2003

Gil de Ferran was testing a car on the private circuit The Concours Club, in Opa-Locka, Florida, USA, when he felt unwell and stopped at the pit entrance. He was taken to the hospital, but did not survive. Gil leaves his wife, Angela, and children Anna and Luke.

1 of 4 Gil de Ferran dies at age 56 — Photo: Disclosure Gil de Ferran dies at age 56 — Photo: Disclosure

Gil de Ferran was born in Paris, France, but considered himself Brazilian. Son of Luc de Ferran, a Ford engineer who created the Ecosport, Gil went to live in Brazil at the age of four and took the country’s name to the top of the podium.

Like so many other drivers, Gil began his career in karting, where he won titles, such as the Brazilian Championship in 87. He even tried to follow in his father’s footsteps in engineering, but abandoned the course in the third year to try his luck in motorsport in Europe. He was active in Formula 3000 between 1993 and 1994.

2 of 4 Gil de Ferran was two-time Indy/Champ Car champion in 2000 and 2001 — Photo: Getty Images Gil de Ferran was two-time Indy/Champ Car champion in 2000 and 2001 — Photo: Getty Images

He even tested in Formula 1 at Arrows, but, during a break between heats, he hit his head on a truck. The injuries caused Gil to lose his chance in F1. In 1995, he went to try a life in the USA and made his debut in Indy.

In his first season, he was voted rookie of the year and finished the championship in 14th place. The first Indy title came in 2000, at Penske. with two victories and 168 points. A year later, he also won his second championship with two victories and, this time, 199 points.

In 2002, he moved with Penske to the Indy Racing League (IRL). His greatest achievement in competition came in 2003, when he won the Indianapolis 500. He finished the season with runner-up and said goodbye to the track at the Texas stage.

3 of 4 Gil de Ferran Formula Indy winner Indianapolis 500 2003 — Photo: Agência Getty Images Gil de Ferran Formula Indy winner 500 Indianapolis 2003 — Photo: Agência Getty Images

The former driver, however, did not stay away from the tracks. In 2005, he became sporting director of the British American Racing (BAR) team in Formula 1. Furthermore, the former driver was head of Honda in Formula 1 between 2005 and 2007.

In 2008, he returned to the track. Owner and driver for Ferran Motorsports, he competed in the American Les Mans Series until 2009, when he retired once again. The following year, he created De Ferran Dragon Racing to compete IRL. The following year, however, the team ended its activities due to a lack of sponsors.

Since 2017 he has been at McLaren, where he began coaching Fernando Alonso in the Indianapolis 500. In July 2018, Gil de Ferran took up the newly created role of sporting director at McLaren. In August 2019, he took charge of McLaren’s IndyCar project, leaving the position at the beginning of 2021.

In 2018, Gil de Ferran was called to “help” McLaren in Formula 1

Currently, Gil de Ferran had been acting as a consultant for McLaren in Formula 1 during the team’s restructuring process.

4 of 4 Gil de Ferran was one of those responsible for the rebirth of McLaren — Photo: Getty Images Gil de Ferran was one of those responsible for the rebirth of McLaren — Photo: Getty Images

The Brazilian Automobile Confederation released a note of condolence signed by its president, Giovanni Guerra, on Friday night. In the text, the entity declared that it received the news of the former pilot’s death with deep sadness and recalled Gil’s main titles defending the colors of Brazil. Read in full below:

“Note of Grief: Gil de Ferran

The Brazilian Automobile Confederation receives with deep sadness the news of the death, in the United States, of Brazilian driver Gil de Ferran, on the afternoon of this Friday, 29th.

At the age of 56, completed on November 11th, Gil was the victim of a heart attack in a private motorsport club, located in Opa Locka, Florida. Promptly rescued, he was taken to a hospital in the region, but he did not survive.

Gil de Ferran shone on Brazilian and international tracks, with emphasis on the British Formula 3 title, his second Indy championship (under the CART banner) and victory in the 2003 Indy 500. He also won as a driver and team owner in the American Endurance . He currently worked for the McLaren team as one of its directors.

On behalf of myself and the entire CBA family, we pray to God to receive our brother with all the glories and support his family, friends and millions of fans around the world.”

2023-12-30 02:37:30
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