Comments on: IndyCar champion and Indy 500 winner Gil de Ferran dead at 56 | IndyCar https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/ Formula 1, IndyCar, WEC, Formula E and more independent motorsport coverage Mon, 01 Jan 2024 20:05:19 +0000 hourly 1 By: bull mello https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962443 Mon, 01 Jan 2024 20:05:19 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962443 vaya con dios Gil de Ferran

Always respected him as a driver and being a very good person.

Regards to his family and friends.

]]> By: DB-C90 https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962326 Sun, 31 Dec 2023 10:58:23 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962326 Such a shock to read this, and so young.

I remember when he first arrived on the scene - took a few races to hit his stride but lived up to all the hype.

Rest in peace. Condolences to all his family, racing family and friends.

]]> By: Nick T. https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962310 Sun, 31 Dec 2023 08:09:15 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962310 In reply to Asd.

Indeed. And, regardless of pedigree, it’s simply always sad to see someone die too early. While he wasn’t a spring chicken, at 56 you’re still in your intellectual prime. So, robbed of some very valuable years.

]]> By: Jungle https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962292 Sun, 31 Dec 2023 01:54:24 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962292 In reply to Asd.

Very true I think it was a golden era in general. Started watching when Mansell moved over remember it fondly. Great couple of years racing. Emo was still around, Tracey, Andretti, Little Al, JV, young Greg Moore RIP, Kanaan, Zanardi and Montoyo later on and of course Gil in the yellow car always easy to spot!

]]> By: Jere https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962285 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 22:15:05 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962285 R.I.P

]]> By: Unicron https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962275 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 17:46:05 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962275 That's very sad news to hear. Gil will always hold a special place in my heart because he was responsible for the most exciting live motorsport moment I've seen.

2001, Rockingham CART race. The race was building towards the end, a race that De Ferran had controlled throughout. Brack was chasing, but De Ferran always seemed to have a back marker or two between them - that is until 2 laps from the end and De Ferran got blocked, slowed up and Brack swept through into the lead right in front of me into turn 1. All very exciting stuff and that seemed to be that.

7 turns to go, 6, 5, 4, 3… Then Brack also got blocked by a back marker coming up to the final turn on the final lap…. De Ferran pounced and toughed it out on the outside line and too the victory!! Breathtaking stuff. De Ferran and Brack showed the UK fans how exciting US single seaters racing on ovals could be, all just a 45 minute drive from my little village.

RIP Gil

]]> By: bernasaurus https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962272 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 17:26:13 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962272 In reply to kcrossle.

@kcrossle We feel sad at someones passing, but it's often strange because we mostly watch these people from a distance. As a kid watching CART on the TV, they were these exotic drivers with ridiculously cool names, working twice as hard as F1 drivers in cars that just looked faster and tougher.

It's lovely to hear a first hand anecdote about him as a person, thank you, I'm sure many more will be will be shared by those that came across him. It makes him very real for a moment. Cheers.

]]> By: Don https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962268 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 15:45:24 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962268 While racing with his son. Shocking. RIP Gil.

]]> By: kcrossle https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962266 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 15:26:56 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962266 The toll plaza on the NY State Thruway had about six lanes that narrowed down to two. As I was going through the gate I saw a sleek motorhome in the next lane. With "de Ferran" on the door. As I out accelerated him he too hit the gas… racing to the narrowing. No contest but I looked over and we were both laughing.

]]> By: Stephen H https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962265 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 14:22:02 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962265 In reply to Stephen H.

Sorry, just realised, it was at Fontana / Auto Club Speedway.

]]> By: Steve https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962264 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 14:20:48 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962264 In reply to dot_com.

Always remember that day in Fontana when he broke the closest circuit speed record, 241.48 MPH, over 250 MPH on the back strait, one of my favorite drivers of the era

]]> By: Pokedle https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962263 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 13:54:19 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962263 I'm deeply saddened to hear about Gil de Ferran's passing. His legacy in IndyCar racing and motorsport as a whole is truly monumental. He showcased incredible talent, winning back-to-back titles in the CART championship and securing a memorable victory in the Indianapolis 500. His journey, from British racing success to dominating in IndyCar, was inspiring. His impact extended beyond the track, contributing as a sporting director and consultant in Formula 1. His loss is a tremendous blow to the racing world, and he will be greatly missed. Rest in peace, Gil de Ferran.

]]> By: dot_com https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962261 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 13:40:22 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962261 That's a huge shame. A real icon in Motorsport and seemingly a very nice chap, too.

]]> By: Stephen H https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962255 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 12:09:11 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962255 A very classy driver, almost Prost-like in his approach. And that pole lap at Michigan… epic.

]]> By: Sergey Martyn https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962253 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 11:57:47 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962253 Damn. I just realised he is 3 years younger than me.
What a tragic and untimely loss…

]]> By: Asd https://www.racefans.net/2023/12/30/indycar-champion-and-indy-500-winner-gil-de-ferran-dead-at-56/#comment-4962252 Sat, 30 Dec 2023 11:40:02 +0000 https://www.racefans.net/?p=524815#comment-4962252 So sad to here this. He was part of the post-Senna golden generation of Brazilian single-seater drivers, most of which resided in IndyCar/CART.

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