Gil de Ferrán, a Brazilian motorsports legend who won the Indianapolis 500 in 2003, died this Friday of a heart attack while competing at The Concours Club circuit in Opa-Llocka, in the state of Florida.
The CART series track speed record holder with a lap at 241.428 miles (388.54 kilometers) per hour was racing today with his youngest son Luke. According to different American media outlets, De Ferrán stopped his car and stated that he was not feeling well. Minutes later he was taken to a hospital, but nothing could be done to save his life.
Born 56 years ago in Paris, but naturalized Brazilian, Gil de Ferrán was a consultant for the British McLaren team. He began his career in British Formula 3 and upon emigrating to the United States he won seven CART races and five IndyCar races between 1995 and 2003.
He won two CART titles in 2000 and 2001 and obtained 50 podiums as a driver for the Penske team. But his greatest achievement came in 2003, in his fourth and final participation in the Indianapolis 500. In an epic finale with his compatriot and teammate Helio Castroneves, Gil de Ferrán won at the finish line.
The Indycar Formula expressed its dismay at the death of Gil de Ferrán, who had turned 56 on November 11. “Incycar is deeply saddened by the death of the two-time champion and Legend of the Caerreras Gil de Ferran,” the entity announced along with a photograph of his victory in Indianapolis. Penske, the team in which he marked his era, defined him as a “gentleman.”
In addition to the young driver Luke, Gil de Ferrán had a daughter with his wife Ángela, the famous DJ Ana, who entertains the Formula One grand prix.
