Gil de Ferran

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
In this article, the surname is "de Ferran", not Ferran.

Gil de Ferran
British Formula Three
Formula 3000
Championship titles
1992
2000–2001
2003		British Formula Three Champion
CART World Series Champion
Indianapolis 500 winner
Awards
1995CART Rookie of the Year
De Ferran's car in 2001
De Ferran at the 2005 United States Grand Prix

Gil de Ferran (11 November 1967 – 29 December 2023) was a Brazilian professional racing driver and team owner. De Ferran was the 2000 and 2001

Champ Car champion driving for Team Penske and the winner of the 2003 Indianapolis 500.[1] He also finished runner-up in the American Le Mans Series LMP1 class in 2009, with his own de Ferran Motorsports
.

Early career

Inspired by the success of fellow Brazilian

Paul Stewart Racing and won the title, scoring seven wins in the process.[5]

In 1993 and 1994, de Ferran drove for Paul Stewart Racing in the International Formula 3000.[5] De Ferran finished fifth in the series in 1993 and then took the championship down to the wire in 1994, ultimately finishing third.[6][7] In 1993, de Ferran tested for the Footwork Arrows Formula One team along with Dutch racer Jos Verstappen.[8][9] His day was seriously compromised after he bumped his head while walking near the motorhome, with de Ferran recalling the incident as follows: "I was walking between two of the trucks, looking down thinking, this is not going so well. And I hit my head on a swing-up locker door on the side of the truck. Split my head open, blood everywhere, game over."[9] His times also compared poorly to Verstappen's.[8]

IndyCar

In 1994, de Ferran was invited to test a

Laguna Seca Raceway.[14] After the win, De Ferran placed 14th in the 1995 PPG Indy Car World Series, and won the PPG Indy Car World Series Rookie Of The Year award.[13][14]

In 1996, de Ferran was a consistent challenger but only scored one win, at Cleveland's

Homestead-Miami Speedway but was knocked out of the lead by Dennis Vitolo, who was a lap down from de Ferran.[19] At the Grand Prix of Portland he lost out to PacWest Racing's Mark Blundell in the closest finish in CART history.[20] The expected championship challenge never materialized in 1998. Unreliability, driver errors and the inferior performance of the Goodyear tires compared to the superior Firestone tires all combined to leave de Ferran 12th in the standings, again with no wins in the year.[21][22]

In 1999, the long-awaited breakthrough finally came as de Ferran beat

California Speedway and de Ferran's fellow countryman Hélio Castroneves was announced as the replacement for Moore shortly afterwards.[26]

On 28 October 2000, during CART qualifying at

California Speedway in Fontana, de Ferran set both the track record and closed course record for fastest lap at 241.428 mph (388.541 km/h).[27] As of December 2022, this stands as the fastest qualifying lap speed ever recorded at an official race meeting.[28] He would follow the record speed by winning the series championship at Fontana on 30 October (The season finale started on 29 October but was forced to finish on 30 October due to rain).[29]

With Team Penske, de Ferran won two CART titles and an Indy 500 victory.[30] His analytical approach earned him comparisons with Penske's first driver, Mark Donohue.[9] In 2003, de Ferran was injured during a race at Phoenix, suffering a broken back.[31] Despite the injury, de Ferran passed his teammate, Castroneves with 31 laps left to win the 2003 Indianapolis 500.[32] It also was the second 1–2 finish for Penske Racing in the Indianapolis 500.[33][34]

Following his Indianapolis triumph de Ferran decided to retire at the end of 2003.[35] He won his final race at Texas Motor Speedway,[36] although the moment was soured by a crash during the race that left fellow Indy 500 winner and Rahal-Letterman Racing driver Kenny Bräck seriously injured.[37] De Ferran would finish second in the championship standings, runner-up to Scott Dixon.[36]

In July 2013, Autosport magazine named de Ferran one of the 50 greatest drivers to have never raced in Formula One.[38][11]

Managerial career

In 2005, he moved to the

Eric Boullier's resignation.[41] He left the team in early 2021.[42] In May 2023, McLaren had brought back de Ferran in a consultant advisory role as part of their restructure process.[43]

On 29 January 2008, de Ferran announced that he would return to the cockpit and field a factory-backed LMP2 class

Acura ARX-01b prototype in the American Le Mans Series, under the team name de Ferran Motorsports.[44] The team began competing around the mid-way point of the 2008 season, with de Ferran running the team and sharing driving duties with Simon Pagenaud.[45] In its debut season, de Ferran Motorsports took four front row grid positions, led six races and scored three podium finishes in just eight starts.[46] In 2009, de Ferran Motorsports was chosen by Honda to develop the Acura ARX-02a for competition in the LMP1 division of the American Le Mans Series.[47][48] The team scored five outright wins, seven poles, and finished runners up in the ALMS LMP1 class.[49][50]

In August 2009, de Ferran announced his retirement at the end of the racing season, expressing his intention to concentrate all his resources on expanding his team, making public his desire to return to IndyCar racing as a front running team owner.

Steve Luczo, a successful technology leader and racing enthusiast.[53] The new team was named de Ferran Dragon Racing and was the realization of de Ferran's ambition to return to IndyCar.[54][55] De Ferran Dragon Racing, with driver Raphael Matos, earned four Top Ten finishes in its debut campaign and finished seventeenth in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.[9][56] In 2010, IndyCar also began planning for a completely new car concept, to debut during the 2012 season.[57] De Ferran was part of the ICONIC committee in the development of the future IndyCar.[58] In 2011 de Ferran Dragon racing closed its doors after lacking sponsorships, having attempted to stay operational for the new season.[59]

Personal life and death

De Ferran was born on 11 November 1967 in Paris, France.

Paul Stewart Racing)[61] and their two children.[5]

De Ferran died on 29 December 2023, at age 56. He suffered a heart attack while driving at a private event with his son at The Concours Club in Opa-locka, Florida.[30][62]

Motorsports career results

Complete British Formula Three results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 DC Pts
1991 Edenbridge Racing Mugen-Honda SIL
8 		THR DON
7 		BRH
5 		BRH
1 		THR
8 		SIL
7 		DON
2 		SIL
1 		SIL
1 		SNE
5 		SIL
2 		BRH
2 		DON
5 		SIL
6 		THR
11 		3rd 54 [citation needed]
1992 Paul Stewart Racing Mugen-Honda DON
3 		SIL
1 		THR
1 		BRH
2 		THR
2 		BRH
2 		SIL
1 		SIL
2 		DON
1 		SNE
5 		SIL
Ret 		PEM
1 		SIL
2 		DON
3 		THR
1 		SIL
1 		1st 102 [citation needed]
[citation needed]

Complete International Formula 3000 results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 DC Points
1993
Paul Stewart Racing
 DON
Ret 		SIL
1 		PAU
Ret 		PER
Ret 		HOC
9† 		NÜR
2 		SPA
2 		MAG
Ret 		NOG
7 		4th 21
1994
Paul Stewart Racing
 SIL
3 		PAU
1
CAT

Ret 		PER
1 		HOC
3 		SPA
5
EST

Ret 		MAG
Ret 		3rd 28
Sources:[63][64]

Complete American Open Wheel Racing results

(

key
)

CART

Year Team No. Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Rank Points Ref
1995 Hall/VDS Racing 8 Reynard 95i Mercedes-Benz IC108B V8 t MIA
25 		SRF
16 		PHX
11 		LBH
27 		NZR
19 		INDY
29 		MIL
8 		DET
16 		POR
10 		ROA
21 		TOR
16 		CLE
14 		MIS
12 		MDO
24 		NHM
7 		VAN
2 		LS
1 		14th 56 [65]
1996 Hall/VDS Racing Reynard 96i Honda HRH V8 t MIA
2 		RIO
10 		SRF
11 		LBH
5 		NZR
23 		MIS1
9 		MIL
9 		DET
3 		POR
2 		CLE
1 		TOR
18 		MIS2
19 		MDO
17 		ROA
25 		VAN
4 		LS
25 		6th 104 [66]
1997
 Walker Racing 5 Reynard 97i Honda HRR V8 t MIA
22 		SRF
5 		LBH
21 		NZR
4 		RIO
11 		STL
3 		MIL
7 		DET
3 		POR
2 		CLE
2 		TOR
25 		MIS
3 		MDO
6 		ROA
3 		VAN
3 		LS
5 		FON
6 		2nd 162 [17]
1998
 Walker Racing Reynard 98i Honda HRK V8 t MIA
7 		MOT
3 		LBH
20 		NZR
4 		RIO
26 		STL
6 		MIL
22 		DET
3 		POR
20 		CLE
6 		TOR
27 		MIS
16 		MDO
9 		ROA
16 		VAN
13 		LS
19 		HOU
21 		SRF
14 		FON
17 		12th 67 [67]
1999
 Walker Racing Reynard 99i Honda HRS V8 t MIA
6 		MOT
2 		LBH
6 		NZR
15 		RIO
10 		STL
25 		MIL
3 		POR
1 		CLE
2 		ROA
14 		TOR
19 		MIS
24 		DET
22 		MDO
6 		CHI
13 		VAN
26 		LS
6 		HOU
17 		SRF
27 		FON
9 		8th 108 [68]
2000
Penske Racing
 2 Reynard 2Ki Honda HR-0 V8 t MIA
6 		LBH
7 		RIO
17 		MOT
9 		NZR
1 		MIL
12 		DET
9 		POR
1 		CLE
14 		TOR
6 		MIS
18 		CHI
3 		MDO
2 		ROA
25 		VAN
5 		LS
2 		STL
8 		HOU
3 		SRF
23 		FON
3 		1st 168 [69]
2001
Penske Racing
 1 Reynard 01i Honda HR-1 V8 t
MTY

2
LBH

3 		TXS
NH 		NZR
23 		MOT
13 		MIL
7 		DET
6
POR

13 		CLE
4 		TOR
14 		MIS
24
CHI

3 		MDO
2 		ROA
5 		VAN
2 		LAU
8 		ROC
1 		HOU
1 		LS
3 		SRF
4 		FON
6 		1st 199 [70]

IndyCar Series

Year Team Chassis No. Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Rank Points Ref
2001
 Team Penske Dallara IR-01 66 Oldsmobile Aurora V8 PHX
24 		HMS ATL INDY
2 		TXS PPIR RIR KAN NSH KTY STL CHI TX2 28th 46 [71]
2002
Marlboro Team Penske
 Dallara IR-02 6 Chevrolet Indy V8 HMS
2 		PHX
2 		FON
4 		NZR
3 		INDY
10 		TXS
16 		PPIR
1 		RIR
2 		KAN
5 		NSH
2 		MIS
5 		KTY
21 		STL
1 		CHI
23 		TX2
INJ 		3rd 443 [72]
2003
Penske Racing
 Dallara IR-03 Toyota Indy V8 HMS
2 		PHX
14 		MOT
INJ 		PPIR
3 		RIR
3 		KAN
3 		NSH
1 		MIS
7 		STL
3 		KTY
9 		NZR
4 		CHI
12 		TX2
1 		2nd 489 [73]
G-Force GF09 INDY
1 		TXS
8 		FON
15

Indianapolis 500 results

Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team
1995 Reynard 95i Mercedes-Benz IC108B V8 t 19 29 Hall/VDS Racing
2001 Dallara IR-01 Oldsmobile Aurora V8 5 2
Penske Racing
2002 Dallara IR-02 Chevrolet Indy V8 14 10
Penske Racing
2003 G-Force GF09 Toyota Indy V8 10 1
Penske Racing
Source:[74]

CART career results

Year Team Wins Points Championship Finish
1995 Hall/VDS Racing 1 56 14th
1996 Hall/VDS Racing 1 104 6th
1997 Walker Racing 0 162 2nd
1998 Walker Racing 0 67 12th
1999 Walker Racing 1 108 8th
2000
Penske Racing
 2 168 1st
2001
Penske Racing
 2 199 1st
Source:[64]

Indy Racing League career results

Year Team Wins Points Championship Finish
2001
Penske Racing
 0 46 28th
2002
Penske Racing
 2 443 3rd
2003
Penske Racing
 3 489 2nd
Sources:[63][64]

Complete American Le Mans Series results

Year Entrant Class Chassis Engine Tyres 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Rank Points Ref
2008 de Ferran Motorsports LMP2
Acura ARX-01b
 Acura 3.4L V8 M SEB STP LNB UTA
3
 LIM
14/7
 MID
Ret
 AME
18/8
 MOS
7/5
 DET
3
 PET
8/5
 MON
4/2
 9th 85 [75]
2009 de Ferran Motorsports LMP1 Acura ARX-02a Acura 4.0L V8 M SEB
Ret
 STP
Ret
 LNB
1
 UTA
1
 LIM
1
 MID
1
 AME
2
 MOS
2
 PET
24/7
 MON
1
 2nd 162 [76]

References

  1. ^ Parkes, Ian (31 August 2018). "After Years of Dismal Results, a Reorganization at McLaren". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  2. ^ Spurgeon, Brad (24 July 2015). "A Racing Life, on Track and Off". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  3. ^ Mason, Oliver (30 December 2023). "Brazilian Racing Legend Gil de Ferran Passes Away at 56". The Rio Times. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b Gascoigne, Roger (30 December 2023). "F3 and IndyCar champion Gil de Ferran dies aged 56". Formula Scout. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Kelly, Paul (29 December 2023). "2003 Indianapolis 500 Winner De Ferran Dies at 56". IndyCar.com. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  6. ^ "F3000 International Championship Standings 1993". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Article clipped from The Indianapolis Star". The Indianapolis Star. 22 May 1995. p. 32. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  8. ^ a b Hallbery, Andy (6 June 2021). "Archive: How a standout test launched the Verstappen name into F1". Autosport. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d "Lunch with... Gil de Ferran". Motor Sport Magazine. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2022.
  10. Racer.com
    . Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  11. ^
    The Miami Herald
    . Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  12. ^ Newbold, James (1 January 2024). "The attributes that made de Ferran a potent force". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  13. ^ a b c Blackburn, Tom (30 December 2023). "Gil de Ferran Brought Winning Back to Penske". Frontstretch. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  14. ^ a b Martin, Bruce (10 September 1995). "De Ferran wins race, Villeneuve wins title". United Press International. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  15. ^ "De Ferran rolls in Cleveland". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  16. ^ Glick, Shav (8 August 1996). "Indy Car Owner Jim Hall Retiring, but Impact Continues". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Gil de Ferran – 1997 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  18. ^ Glick, Shav (24 October 1997). "No 'Doughnuts,' but Plenty of Dough for Zanardi". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  19. Logansport Pharos-Tribune
    . 3 March 1997. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  20. ^ "CHAMPCAR/CART: Portland preview". Motorsport.com. 27 March 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  21. ^ Miller, Robin. "Class, dignity and skill define de Ferran". ESPN. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  22. South Florida Sun Sentinel
    . 20 March 1999. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  23. ^ "July 1999 News Archives". Jayski's Silly Season Website. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Gil de Ferran". www.historicracing.com. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  25. ^ "De Ferran ends Penske win drought". Autosport. 27 May 2000. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  26. ^ Cavin, Curt (29 October 2009). "10 Years Later: Remembering Greg Moore". Autoweek. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  27. ^ "De Ferran wins pole, sets record". Las Vegas Sun. 28 October 2000. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013.
  28. ^ Webster, George (16 May 2009). "Who holds the world's closed course record? A.J. Foyt". PRN Motorsport Magazine. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018.
  29. ^ "CHAMPCAR/CART: Fontana race Monday summary". Motorsport.com. 31 October 2000. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  30. ^
    The Associated Press
    .
  31. ^ "De Ferran suffers back injury in crash". Autosport. 24 March 2003. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  32. ^ "Brazil's Gil de Ferran wins Indy 500". WTHR. 25 May 2003. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  33. ^ Frank, Evan (29 December 2023). "2003 Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran has died. See photos of him through the years". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  34. ^ "Penske Racing Indianapolis 500 Fast Facts". www.teampenske.com. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  35. ^ Taranto, Steven (29 December 2023). "Gil de Ferran, 2003 Indianapolis 500 champion, dies of heart attack at 56". CBS Sports. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  36. ^ a b D'Angelo, Bob (30 December 2023). "Gil de Ferran, who won Indianapolis 500 in 2003, dead at 56". KIRO-TV. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  37. ^ Glick, Shav (14 October 2003). "Brack Stable After Crash". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  38. ^ "The top 50 drivers who never raced in F1". Autosport. 26 July 2013. Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  39. ^ Frank, Evan; Brown, Nathan (29 December 2023). "Gil de Ferran, the 2003 Indianapolis 500 champion, has died at 56". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  40. ^ "De Ferran quits role with Honda". BBC Sport. 16 July 2007. Retrieved 16 July 2007.
  41. ^ Mitchell, Scott (4 July 2018). "Eric Boullier resigns from McLaren Formula 1 team". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
  42. ^ Brown, Nathan (21 January 2021). "Gil de Ferran leaving McLaren after helping integrate Arrow McLaren SP IndyCar program". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  43. ^ Benson, Andrew (6 May 2023). "Gil de Ferran: McLaren bring back former IndyCar champion as part of restructure plans". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  44. ^ English, Steven (29 January 2008). "De Ferran to race again with own team". Autosport. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  45. ^ Olson, Jeff. De Ferran to Become Acura Owner/Driver Archived 1 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine, SpeedTV.com, 29 January 2008
  46. ^ "Sebring: de Ferran Motorsports preview". Motorsport.com. 19 June 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  47. ^ "de Ferran Motorsports re-sign Pagenaud". Motorsport.com. 30 November 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  48. ^ "Acura To Enter LMP1 Prototype Competition In 2009". Autoweek. 28 August 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  49. ^ "De Ferran Wins ALMS Finale In Final Drive". Autoweek. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  50. ^ "Acura Motorsports 2009 season review". Motorsport.com. 15 October 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  51. ^ "Gil de Ferran announces his retirement". Motorsport.com. 2 October 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  52. ^ "Gil De Ferran Announces Retirement, Again". Autoweek. 6 August 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  53. San Diego Union-Tribune
    . Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  54. ^ "de Ferran Dragon Racing new team name". Motorsport.com. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  55. ^ "Gil de Ferran returns to IndyCar as owner". www.sportsnet.ca. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  56. ^ "Homestead: Series race report". Motorsport.com. 2 October 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  57. ^ Martin, Bruce (11 January 2010). "This debate has wings; more notes". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  58. ^ Lewandowski, Dave (13 July 2012). "Future car strategy is well-received reality". IndyCar.com. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  59. ^ Cavin, Curt (23 March 2011). "IndyCar Preview: Stability Should Provide Fierce Competition Once Again". Autoweek. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  60. ^ Tinoco, Armando (31 December 2023). "Gil De Ferran Dies: Brazilian-French Indy 500 Champion Was 56". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  61. OCLC 277068852
    .
  62. ^ DeGroot, Nick (30 December 2023). "2003 Indy 500 winner Gil de Ferran dead at 56". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  63. ^ a b "Gil de Ferran Results". Motorsport Stats. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  64. ^ a b c "Gil de Ferran". Motor Sport. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  65. ^ "Gil de Ferran – 1995 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  66. ^ "Gil de Ferran – 1996 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  67. ^ "Gil de Ferran – 1998 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  68. ^ "Gil de Ferran – 1999 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  69. ^ "Gil de Ferran – 2000 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  70. ^ "Gil de Ferran – 2001 CART Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  71. ^ "Gil de Ferran – 2001 Indy Racing Northern Lights Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  72. ^ "Gil de Ferran – 2002 Indy Racing League Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  73. ^ "Gil de Ferran – 2003 IndyCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  74. ^ "Gil de Ferrran Indianapolis 500 Stats". Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  75. ^ "Gil de Ferran – 2008 American Le Mans Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  76. ^ "Gil de Ferran – 2009 American Le Mans Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gil de Ferran.
Sporting positions
Preceded by British Formula Three Champion
1992 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
1995
 Succeeded by
Preceded by
2001
 Succeeded by
Preceded by Indianapolis 500 Winner
2003 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gil_de_Ferran&oldid=1282226196"