Gil de Ferran obituary: Indy 500 winner and two-time IndyCar champion dies aged 56

Career Highlights

Gil de Ferran's career was defined by his remarkable battling nature and great racing acumen. He won the Indianapolis 500 in 2003, beating his teammate and close friend Helio Castroneves. De Ferran's victory in America's biggest open-wheel race showcased his turn of speed and remarkable racing intellect.

Throughout his career, de Ferran achieved immense success. He won two titles in the CART era in 2000 and 2001, solidifying his status as an IndyCar champion. His retirement from IndyCar at the end of the 2003 season marked the end of an era.

De Ferran's achievements were recognized by his peers and mentors. Rick Mears, a three-time Indy 500 winner, once told him that winning the race would take time to sink in. Mears proved to be right, as de Ferran only fully grasped the magnitude of his victory weeks later.

Early Life and UK Success

Born in Paris, France, de Ferran began karting in Brazil after his family moved there. Following in the footsteps of Emerson Fittipaldi, he moved to the United Kingdom to pursue his racing career. He raced in various series and won the British F3 title in 1992.

Although de Ferran narrowly missed out on Formula 1, his success in the United Kingdom earned him a place in the competitive IndyCar Series. He made his debut in 1995 and quickly became a notable figure in the championship. His first win came in his rookie year, and he was crowned Rookie of the Year.

De Ferran's reputation grew further during his time with Team Penske. He set a closed-course land speed record during qualifying at California Speedway, reaching an impressive 241.428mph. Over the course of his career, he recorded 12 wins and 21 pole positions.

Post-IndyCar Career

Following his retirement from IndyCar, de Ferran explored various avenues in motorsport. He participated in sportscar racing, took on team management roles, and even joined the BAR-Honda team as sporting director in Formula 1 from 2005 to 2007.

In 2008, de Ferran made a return to the cockpit as a driver-owner in the American Le Mans Series. He achieved success in endurance racing, including finishing runner-up in the premier LMP1 prototype class. He later co-owned the de Ferran Dragon Racing IndyCar team.

De Ferran's expertise and experience led to him being appointed as the sporting director for McLaren Racing in F1. After leaving the role in 2021, he was rehired by McLaren as a consultant and advisor in 2023.

In addition to his racing achievements, de Ferran was known for his warm personality, sense of humor, and friendly nature. He will be dearly missed by the motorsport community.