Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran passes away aged 56

2003 Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran has passed away aged 56.The Brazilian, a two-time CART champion, died on December 29thafter suffering a heart attack whilst at The Concourse Club inFlorida, where he was racing with his son, as per The AssociatedPress. Racing against the likes of Rubens Barrichello and DavidCoulthard in British Formula 3, de Ferran claimed back-to-back CARTtitles in 2000 and 2001. In 2000, he set the closed-course landspeed record in a qualifying lap at the now-demolished CaliforniaSpeedway. His speed of 241.428mph around the two-mile oval remainsunbeaten. After his 2003 Indy 500 success with Penske, de Ferranmoved into Formula 1 management with BAR-Honda in 2005, butresigned two years later. In mid-2018, he joined McLaren asSporting Director after Eric Boullier left the team but left inearly 2021 as part of a reshuffle. Earlier this year, at the MiamiGrand Prix, it was announced that he would return to McLaren in aconsultancy role, and was present at the season-ending Abu DhabiGrand Prix at the end of November. "Everyone at McLaren Racing isshocked and deeply saddened to learn we have lost a beloved memberof our McLaren family," read a McLaren statement. "We send ourdeepest condolences to Gil de Ferran’s family, friends and lovedones. "Gil was an important and integral part of our Racing team.He was a formidable force on and off track and made a lastingimpact on everyone racing and working alongside him. "He will bemissed by everyone at McLaren Racing." de Ferran is survived by hisAngela and children Ana and Luke. Everyone at RacingNews365 wouldlike to send their condolences to the friends and family of Gil deFerran at this sad time.