Gil de Ferran (1967-2023)

It was a rude awakening this morning to learn of the death of Gil de Ferran, aged just 56. A Brazilian national born in Paris, Gil was one of the few people in the paddock with whom everyone agreed. Among his greatest feats were his British F3 title in 1992 and his third place in the F3000 in 1994, both with Paul Stewart Racing.

But it was obviously on American soil that he became a legend. And in particular with the colours of Team Penske, a team to which he offered two CART titles in 2000 and 2001 and an Indy 500 victory in 2003.

Endurance fans, for their part, got to know him in the American Le Mans Series, a championship he contested in Acuras entered by his own team : De Ferran Motorsports in 2009 and 2010.

On that occasion, he decided to call on a young man who had surprised him in Champ Car : Simon Pagenaud, with whom he was very close.

To his family, friends and all his fans, the editorial staff of Endurance-Info sends its most sincere condolences.

More to come...