GIL de Ferran has died at age 56.
The 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner died Friday while racing at The Concourse Club in Florida, according to The Associated Press.
Fellow Brazilian driver Tony Kanaan said the legend was with his son, Luke, at the private course when he started to feel sick and pulled over. De Ferran reportedly suffered a heart attack and couldn’t be revived.
“We are terribly saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Gil de Ferran,” said Roger Penske, the owner of Team Penske and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Angela, Anna, Luke, and the entire de Ferran family.
“Gil defined class as a driver and a gentleman. As an IndyCar Champion and an Indianapolis 500 winner, Gil accomplished so much during his career.
“He was beloved by so many and he was a great friend to the Team Penske family and to the entire international motorsports community. It’s a tragic loss and he will be deeply missed.”
Fans are also taking to social media to pay tribute to the iconic driver.
“Gil de Ferran was one of my favorite drivers growing up. An incredible driver and an incredible person. A Winner, a Champion, a 500 Champion, and the fastest driver to ever run a lap in an Indy Car. A true legend!” ” one fan shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Read our Gil de Ferran blog for the latest updates…
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James Hinchcliffe pays tribute
Canadian racer James Hinchcliffe shared that he is at a “complete loss for words” after hearing about Gil de Ferran’s death.
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Champion dead at 56
Gil de Ferran won the 2000 and 2001 Cham Car titles driving for Penske along with the 2003 Indy 500 with Penske.
De Ferran was also the runner-up in LMP1 class of the American le Mans Series in 2009 driving for his self-owned de Ferran Motorsports.
He sent the closed-course land speed record during CART with a lap of 241.428 mph at the California Speedway in 2000 – the feat still stands today.
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Gil de Ferran’s rise to racing
Gil de Ferran was born on November 11, 1967, in Paris, France.
The driver began his career in kart racing in the early 1980s.
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Gil de Ferran pictured
Gil de Ferran has died at age 56.
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Survived by two kids
Gil de Ferran is survived by his wife, Angela, daughter Ana, and son Luke.
The racer was racing with Luke Friday when he reportedly suffered a heart attack and died.
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Marco Andretti remembers ‘one of the real ones’
American driver Marco Andretti has taken to social media to pay tribute to Gil de Ferran with a picture of the racer.
“My friend. One of the real ones,” Andretti wrote.
“One of the reasons for my F1 tests.
“Loved your passion and love for our sport, Thank you for what you contributed to my life.”
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Fans pay tribute
Fans are taking to social media to pay tribute to the iconic driver.
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Tony Kanaan is ‘devastated’
Tony Kanaan told The Associated Press that he is “devastated” over Gil de Ferran’s death.
“He was one of my best friends and we grew up together and lately and we worked together at McLaren,” he told the outlet.
“In the beginning of this year, he was a mentor, helping me out. I lost a dear friend. I am devastated.”
He added, “I have to say, he went in Gil style, driving a racecar. If I could choose a way to go, that’s what I could do.”
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Roger Penske shares statement
Gil de Ferran won the Indy 500 for Roger Penske in 2003.
“We are terribly saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Gil de Ferran,” said Roger Penske, the owner of Team Penske and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in a statement.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Angela, Anna, Luke, and the entire de Ferran family.
“Gil defined class as a driver and a gentleman. As an IndyCar Champion and an Indianapolis 500 winner, Gil accomplished so much during his career.
“He was beloved by so many and he was a great friend to the Team Penske family and to the entire international motorsports community. It’s a tragic loss and he will be deeply missed.”
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Roger Penske shares statement
Gil de Ferran won the Indy 500 for Roger Penske in 2003.
“We are terribly saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Gil de Ferran,” said Roger Penske, the owner of Team Penske and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in a statement.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Angela, Anna, Luke, and the entire de Ferran family.
“Gil defined class as a driver and a gentleman. As an IndyCar Champion and an Indianapolis 500 winner, Gil accomplished so much during his career.
“He was beloved by so many and he was a great friend to the Team Penske family and to the entire international motorsports community. It’s a tragic loss and he will be deeply missed.”
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Racer’s last moments revealed
Gil de Ferran died on Friday while racing with his son, Luke, at The Concourse Club in Opa-Locka, Florida.
The two were on a private course at the club when de Ferran pulled over and said he wasn’t feeling well.
Fellow driver Tony Kanaan said de Ferran suffered a heart attack and couldn’t be revived.
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Gil de Ferran dead at 56
Gil de Ferran has died at age 56.
The 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner died Friday while racing at The Concourse Club in Florida, according to The Associated Press.