Racing World Remembers Indy Champion Gil de Ferran

Former IndyCar driver Gil de Ferran has died of an apparent heart attack while at a private motorsports club in Opa Locka, Florida, December 29th, 2023. The two-time IndyCar champion was just 56. De Ferran raced all of his life, first driving go-karts as a child in Brazil. He became best known while driving for Team Penske. He won the Indianapolis 500 while driving for Penske in 2003. De Ferran was also the 2000 and 2001 IndyCar champion driving for Team Penske.

Roger Penske released this statement about de Ferran’s death.

“We are terribly saddened to hear about today’s tragic passing of Gil De Ferran. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Angela, Anna, Luke and the entire De Ferran family. Gil defined class as a driver and as a gentleman. As an IndyCar Champion and an Indianapolis 500 winner, Gil accomplished so much during his career both on and off the track.

Gil was beloved by so many. He was a great friend to the Team Penske and IndyCar family, as well as the entire International Motorsports community. Gil’s passing is a terrible loss and he will be deeply missed.”

Jim Campbell who heads up Chevrolet Performance released this statement.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of Gil de Ferran’s passing. He was a passionate racer, true champion on track and a friend to so many in the industry. He loved his family and life-long friends. Gil was respected and admired in the paddock as a great driver, INDYCAR champion and Indianapolis 500 winner. He always gave back to the sport, and served as a mentor to many up-and-coming drivers. Gil will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers to his wife, Angela; children, Anna and Luke; and his many friends.”

After retiring as an IndyCar driver, de Ferran continued in the sport as a team owner and advisor.

American Honda and Honda Racing Corporation USA also extended its sympathies to de Ferran’s family, friends and many fans. De Ferran was an Acura sports car racing team owner.   

"All of us at Honda and HRC are deeply saddened by Gil de Ferran's sudden passing," said David Salters, president of HRC US. "Gil was a big part of the Honda racing family and CART heritage. He held a special place in all of our hearts.  His accomplishments, championships and race victories on the track are well known. Listening to him recount his closed-course record run at Fontana raised the hair on the back of my neck, and does so once again now. He was an extremely talented man and brilliant racer.  He also played multiple, vital roles off-track for Honda over the years.”           

Penske Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

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