Gil de Ferran

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In this article, the family name is de Ferran, not Ferran.
Gil de Ferran
Gil de Ferran 2011 Indianapolis.JPG
De Ferran at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in March 2011.
Nationality Brazilian
Born (1967-11-11)11 November 1967
Paris, France
Died Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.
Opa-locka, Florida, U.S.
IRL IndyCar Series
Years active 2001–2003
Teams Penske Racing
Starts 31
Wins 5
Poles 5
Best finish 2nd in 2003
PPG IndyCar World Series/CART FedEx Championship Series
Years active 1995–2001
Teams Hall/VDS Racing
Walker Racing
Penske Racing
Starts 129
Wins 7
Poles 16
Best finish 1st in 2000 & 2001
Previous series
1991–1992
1993–1994		 British Formula Three
Formula 3000
Championship titles
1992
2000–2001
2003		 British Formula Three Champion
CART World Series Champion
Indianapolis 500 winner
Awards
1995 CART 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 French-born 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 Emerson Fittipaldi,[2] de Ferran began his career in kart racing in the early 1980s. He graduated to Formula Ford level in 1987 and Formula Three in 1991. Driving for Edenbridge Racing, de Ferran finished the 1991 British Formula Three season in third, only behind Rubens Barrichello and David Coulthard. For the 1992 season, de Ferran moved to Paul Stewart Racing and won the title, scoring seven wins in the process.

1993 and 1994 were spent driving for Paul Stewart Racing in International Formula 3000. De Ferran finished fourth in the series in 1993 and then took the championship down to the wire in 1994, ultimately finishing third. In 1993, de Ferran tested for a day the Footwork Arrows Formula One team along with Dutch racer Jos Verstappen. 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."[3] His times also compared poorly to Verstappen's.[4]

IndyCar

At the end of 1994, de Ferran was invited to test a CART IndyCar by Hall/VDS Racing. Despite the worries of the team's sponsor Pennzoil that de Ferran was not a famous enough name for their car, the team was sufficiently impressed to offer de Ferran a drive for 1995. With no top-line Formula One drive available, de Ferran took up the offer to drive in America. De Ferran won the PPG Indy Car World Series Rookie Of The Year award in 1995 by finishing 14th. After dominating the Cleveland CART PPG Indy Car World Series race he would be taken out while trying to lap Scott Pruett. He would score his first win in the last race of the year at Laguna Seca Raceway.

In 1996, de Ferran was a consistent challenger but only scored one win, at Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport street circuit, avenging the previous season's heartbreaking loss at the same race. This win was also the last for veteran car owner and driver Jim Hall who retired from the sport at the end of 1996. Hall's retirement also spelled the end of the Jim Hall owned Pennzoil/VDS IndyCar team. Despite rumours that he would be a driver for the new Stewart Grand Prix Formula One team, de Ferran remained in America for 1997, joining Walker Racing. De Ferran finished 1997 as runner-up to Alex Zanardi with ten top-ten finishes but failed to score a single victory. He looked on course to win the season opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway but was knocked out of the lead by Dennis Vitolo, who was a lap down from de Ferran. At the Grand Prix of Portland he lost out to PacWest Racing's Mark Blundell in the closest finish in CART history. 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.

In 1999, the long-awaited breakthrough finally came as de Ferran beat Juan Pablo Montoya at Portland International Raceway to take his first win since 1996 and the Walker Racing team's first since early 1995. However that victory would mark the end of an era as both Goodyear and Valvoline both left CART as major sponsors and suppliers at the end of the 1999 season. Toward the end of that season, de Ferran and Greg Moore were signed to Marlboro Team Penske to replace Al Unser Jr. and the rotating arrangement of drivers employed after Andre Ribeiro retired. However, Moore was killed in a crash during the season finale at California Speedway and de Ferran's fellow countryman Hélio Castroneves was announced as the replacement for Moore shortly afterwards.

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).[5] As of December 2022, this stands as the fastest qualifying lap speed ever recorded at an official race meeting.[6] He would follow the record speed by winning the series championship at Fontana on Monday, 30 October. (The season finale started on Sunday, 29 October but was forced to finish on 30 October due to rain).

In 2001, de Ferran did not appear in Sylvester Stallone's film Driven along with his teammate Hélio Castroneves and his owner Roger Penske for unknown reasons.

The Penske years saw de Ferran finally fulfill the promise of the earlier part of his career with two CART titles and an Indy 500 victory. His analytical approach earned him comparisons with Penske's first driver, Mark Donohue. He also garnered praise for his politeness and integrity: when Penske switched to the Indy Racing League in 2002, he did not criticize the move even though it meant he could not defend his CART title. In 2003, de Ferran was injured during a race at Phoenix, suffering a broken back. Despite the injury, de Ferran passed his teammate, Castroneves with 31 laps left to win an emotional victory at the 2003 Indianapolis 500. It also was the second 1–2 finish for Penske Racing in the Indianapolis 500.

Following his Indianapolis triumph de Ferran decided to retire at the end of 2003. He won his final race at Texas Motor Speedway, although the moment was soured by a terrifying crash during the race that left fellow Indy 500 winner and Rahal-Letterman Racing driver Kenny Bräck seriously injured.

Formula One managerial career

In 2005, he moved to the BAR-Honda Formula One team as their Sports Director. He resigned from this position in July 2007 after becoming "increasingly uncomfortable" with the team.[7]

In July 2018, de Ferran was made sporting director for McLaren following Eric Boullier's resignation.[8] He left the team in early 2021.

In May 2023, McLaren had brought back de Ferran in a consultant advisory role as part of their restructure process.[9]

de Ferran Motorsports

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. 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.[10]

Success again was immediate and de Ferran Motorsports took four front row grid positions, led six races and scored three podium finishes in just eight starts.

2009 saw another challenge when 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. The team scored five outright wins, seven poles, seven fastest laps and finished runners up in the ALMS LMP1 class.

Return to IndyCar

Half way through 2009 de Ferran announced his decision to retire from the cockpit 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. Prior to the start of the 2010 IZOD IndyCar season, de Ferran merged his team with Luczo Dragon Racing, a team started by Jay Penske, the son of de Ferran's former boss Roger Penske, and Steve Luczo, a successful technology leader and racing enthusiast. The new team was named de Ferran Dragon Racing and was the realization of de Ferran's ambition to return to IndyCar.

De Ferran Dragon Racing, with driver Raphael Matos, earned four Top Ten finishes in its debut campaign and led 15 laps during the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

In 2010, IndyCar also began planning for a completely new car concept, to debut during the 2012 season. Due to his technical knowledge, motorsports experience across different series and roles, as well as the widespread respect he held within the racing industry, de Ferran was chosen by his team owner peers to represent their interests in the development of the future IndyCar, as part of the ICONIC committee, who created the concept for the future of IndyCar Racing.

In 2011 de Ferran Dragon racing closed its doors due to lack of funding, having attempted to stay operational for the new season.

Recognition

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

Personal life

De Ferran lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with his English wife Angela (who worked for Paul Stewart Racing)[11] and children.

Death

De Ferran died on 29 December 2023, at the age of 56. He suffered a heart attack while driving at a private event with his son at The Concours Club in Opa-locka, Florida.[12][13]

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
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

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:[14][15]

Complete American Open Wheel Racing results

(key)

CART

Year Team 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 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 [16]
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 [17]
1997 Walker Racing 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 [18]
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 [19]
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 [20]
2000 Penske Racing 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 [21]
2001 Penske Racing 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 [22]

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 [23]
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 [24]
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 [25]
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:[26]

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:[15]

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:[14][15]

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 [27]
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 [28]

References

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  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Olson, Jeff. De Ferran to Become Acura Owner/Driver Archived 1 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine, SpeedTV.com, 29 January 2008
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ 2003 Indy 500 winner Gil de Ferran dead at 56
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  24. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Sporting positions
Preceded by British Formula Three Champion
1992		 Succeeded by
Kelvin Burt
Preceded by CART Rookie of the Year
1995		 Succeeded by
Alex Zanardi
Preceded by CART Series
Champion
2000–2001		 Succeeded by
Cristiano da Matta
Preceded by Indianapolis 500 Winner
2003		 Succeeded by
Buddy Rice
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