Remembering Gil de Ferran: Tributes Pour in for the Two-Time Indy Car Champion

The death of Gil de Ferran took the world of motorsport by surprise. As soon as they learned of the fateful event, drivers, former colleagues, teams and sports organizations paid tribute to the two-time Indy Car champion. Gil de Ferran was 56 years old and died after suffering a cardiac arrest while driving a vehicle on The Concours Club circuit in Opa-locka, Florida.

Gil de Ferran wins the Indianapolis 500 in 2003

1 of 4 Gil De Ferran in action for McLaren in 2019 — Photo: Getty Images Gil De Ferran in action for McLaren in 2019 — Photo: Getty Images

One of the first to post about the loss of his friend was Tony Kanaan:

One of the profiles supporting Ayrton Senna also paid tribute:

Felipe Massa also spoke out through his Twitter profile:

As expected, Indy Car also mourned the death of Gil de Ferran:

Penske, the team for which the former driver was champion in Indy, also spoke out:

Stefano Domenicali, president of F1:

– I am very shocked and deeply saddened by the news that we lost Gil de Ferran. He was an incredible person and a true champion, and we will all miss him greatly. Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.

More tributes to Gil de Ferran:

2 of 4 Nelsinho Piquet mourns the death of Gil de Ferran — Photo: Reproduction/Instagram Nelsinho Piquet mourns the death of Gil de Ferran — Photo: Reproduction/Instagram 3 of 4 Dudu Barrichello also paid tribute to the two-time Indy champion — Photo: Reproduction/Instagram Dudu Barrichello also paid tribute to the two-time Indy champion — Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Pilot died in hospital

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

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.

The driver was winner of the 2003 Indianapolis 500 and two-time Formula Indy champion (under Cart management) in 2000 and 2001. 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 and since 2017 he was at McLaren, where he began coaching Fernando Alonso in the Indianapolis 500.

4 of 4 Gil de Ferran talks to Fernando Alonso during the 2017 500 Miles — Photo: Reuters Gil de Ferran talks to Fernando Alonso during the 2017 500 Miles — Photo: Reuters

In July 2018, Gil de Ferran took up the newly created role of sporting director at McLaren. In August 2019, he began to take charge of McLaren’s Formula Indy project, leaving the position at the beginning of 2021. Currently, Gil de Ferran had been acting as a consultant for McLaren in Formula 1 during the team’s restructuring process.

2023-12-30 10:30:00
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