Motorsports has lost both an icon and the fastest qualifier in the history of closed course racing.
Gil de Ferran, the 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner, was 56.
According to an Associated Press report, De Ferran died after racing with his son at The Concourse Club in Florida. Fellow Brazilian and Indy 500 winner Tony Kanaan told the AP that he was with his son at the private racing facility in Opa-Locka, Florida when he pulled over and said he wasn’t feeling well.
The Brazilian Motorsports Confederation, in a statement issued by president Giovanni Guerra, said it was a heart attack.
“Gil de Ferran shone in Brazilian and foreign tracks, having as highlights his English Formula 3 title, his two IndyCar championships, and the victory at Indy 500 in 2003,” Guerra said in the statement. “In my name and in the name of our confederation, we pray to God so He welcomes our brother in all glory and comforts his family, friends and millions of fans all over the world.”
De Ferran won The 500 for Team Penske; the third consecutive win for team owner Roger Penske in the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” Penske, who now owns both the IndyCar Series and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, currently has a record 19 wins in the event.
He considered De Ferran one of his greatest champions.
“We are terribly saddened to hear about the tragic loss of Gil de Ferran. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Angela, Anna, Luke and the entire de Ferran family,” Penske said in a statement. “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.”
Kanaan said he effectively lost family.
“He was one of my best friends and we grew up together and lately and we worked together at McLaren,” Kanaan told The Associated Press. “In the beginning of this year he was a mentor, helping me out. I lost a dear friend. I am devastated. I have to say, he went in Gil style, driving a race car. If I could choose a way to go, that’s what I could do.”
Juan Pablo Montoya, the 2000 and 2015 IndyCar champion, also was quoted by the AP: “Crazy sad news. Amazing guy and great racer.”
De Ferran had been working as a consultant for the McLaren IndyCar team since May. He previously served as the sporting director for the organization in 2019 when Fernando Alonso drove for the team in the race.
The team also released a statement.
“Everyone at McLaren Racing is shocked and deeply saddened to learn we have lost a beloved member of our or McLaren family. We sent our deepest condolences to Gil de Ferran’s family, friends and loved ones.”
The AP also reported a statement from McLaren CEO Zak Brown, a longtime friend of de Ferran.
“I am shocked and devastated to hear of the loss of a great friend and he teammate,” Brown said. “I’ve raced with Gil all over the world and watched him win some of the biggest races.
“He’s been a great friend for over 20 years and will be greatly missed and never forgotten. My deepest condolences to his family. RIP Gil. The next win is for you! Goodspeed.”
De Ferran will be most remembered professionally for setting the closed-course land speed record during a CART IndyCar Series qualifying session at California Speedway in 2000 with a lap of 241.428 mph — a mark that remains.
He won the series championship in 2000 and 2001 for Penske. He won seven CART and five Indy Racing League races, finishing second in the 2003 standings.
De Ferran is survived by wife, Angela, daughter Anna and son Luke.
Matt Weaver is a Motorsports Insider for Sportsnaut. Follow him on Twitter.