Gil de Ferran was a French-born Brazilian professional racing driver as well as a team owner. De Ferran achieved success with Team Penske as Champ Car champion in 2000 and 2001.
He added more victories by winning the 2003 Indianapolis 500. In 2009, he achieved a runner-up finish in the American Le Mans Series LMP1 class, competing with his team de Ferran Motorsports.
Motor racing-Former Indy winner Gil De Ferran Cause of Death
Gil de Ferran has died recently. Gil de Ferran died on 29 December 2023 at the age of 56. He suffered a heart attack while driving to a private event with his son at The Concourse Club in Opa-Locka, Florida.
My heart sank at the news of Gil de Ferran’s death. It’s heart-wrenching. Thinking of him now and savoring every conversation. He will be missed by so many. A wonderful man and a dear and loyal friend. pic.twitter.com/aPVXjlKwY7
— Mario Andretti (@MarioAndretti) December 30, 2023
How old was Gil de Ferran?
When Gil de Ferran died, his age was 56 years.
Gil de Ferran was born on 11 November 1967 in Paris, France. Gil de Ferran’s nationality was Brazilian and French.
He moved to Formula Ford in 1987 and then to Formula Three in 1991. Racing for Edenbridge Racing, de Ferran finished third in the 1991 British Formula Three season, behind Rubens Barrichello and David Coulthard.
Gil De Ferran’s career
By the end of 1994, Gill de Ferran got a chance to test a CART IndyCar with Hall/VDS Racing. Even though the team’s sponsor, Pennzoil, was concerned that de Ferran wasn’t a widely known name, the team was impressed enough to offer him a drive for 1995. Since there were no top-tier Formula One opportunities, de Ferran accepted the offer to race in America.
In 1996, de Ferran consistently competed at a high level but only secured one victory, at Cleveland’s Burke Lakefront Airport street circuit. This win was special as it avenged the heartbreaking loss from the previous season’s race at the same venue. It also marked the final win for veteran car owner and driver Jim Hall, who retired from the sport at the end of 1996.
After his triumph at Indianapolis, de Ferran decided to retire at the end of 2003. He clinched his last victory at Texas Motor Speedway, although the moment was marred by a frightening crash during the race that left fellow Indy 500 winner and Rahal-Letterman Racing driver Kenny Bräck seriously injured.
Read Also:- Stan Brantley Obituary: Wat Happened To Stan Brantley?