Gil de Ferran, Indianapolis 500 winner and Brazilian icon, dies at 56
Gil de Ferran, the 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner and holder of the closed-course land speed record, died Friday while racing with his son at The Concourse Club in Florida, multiple former colleagues confirmed to The Associated Press. He was 56.
Fellow Brazilian driver Tony Kanaan said de Ferran was with his son, Luke, at the private course in Opa-Locka, Florida, when he pulled over and said he wasn't feeling well.
Kanaan said de Ferran apparently suffered a heart attack and could not be revived.
When de Ferran won the 2003 Indy 500 for Roger Penske, it was the third-consecutive win in the «Greatest Spectacle in Racing» for Penske, who has now amassed a record 19 victories in the iconic Memorial Day weekend race.
«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,» Roger Penske said in a statement. «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."
Kanaan said he was «devastated» at the loss of the Brazilian icon.
«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.
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