F1 News: McLaren Pays Tribute As Team Member And Former IndyCar Champion Passes Away
McLaren Racing team consultant and Indy500 2003 champion Gil de Ferran passed away at the age of 56 today after suffering a heart attack. Messages poured in from McLaren team members and Roger Penske- the owner of the team he once raced for.
According to The Associated Press, de Ferran was participating in a race with his son at The Concourse Club in Florida. He pulled over, feeling unwell, before experiencing a heart attack.
Responding to the "shocking" news, McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown posted on X:
"I am shocked and devastated to hear of the loss of our great friend and teammate. I’ve raced with Gil all over the world and watched him win some of the biggest races.
"He’s been a great friend for over 20 years and will be greatly missed and never forgotten. My deepest condolences to his family. RIP Gil. The next win is for you! Godspeed."
Reacting to the saddening news, here's what the McLaren F1 team posted on X:
“Everyone at McLaren Racing is shocked and deeply saddened to learn we have lost a beloved member of our McLaren family.
“We send our deepest condolences to Gil de Ferran’s family, friends and loved ones.
“Gil was an important and integral part of our racing team. He was a formidable force on and off track and made a lasting impact on everyone racing and working alongside him.
“He will be missed by everyone at McLaren Racing.”
Roger Penske, the owner of Team Penske wrote:
“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.”
De Ferran served as a consultant to the McLaren Formula 1 team since May 2023, when he was enlisted as part of the restructuring efforts by the new team principal, Andrea Stella. During his days as a racing driver, he gained prominence through a highly successful IndyCar career, culminating in a significant victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Penske Racing in 2003.
